INS Ikshak Joins Fleet, Boosting India’s Maritime Survey and Disaster Response Capabilities
Third SVL vessel commissions with AI-powered surveys and hospital capabilities.
The Indian Navy commissions its third Survey Vessel (Large) class ship, INS Ikshak, on November 6, 2025, at Naval Base Kochi, marking a milestone in maritime dominance. Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi will preside over the ceremony, inducting the vessel—the first SVL to be based at Southern Naval Command—into active service under the National Hydrographic Office in Dehradun.
Named 'Ikshak'—meaning 'The Guide' in Sanskrit—the 110-meter, 3,400-tonne behemoth embodies precision navigation and fearless exploration. Commanding Officer Captain Tribhuvan Singh declared, “Ikshak will map vast oceans, ensure safe passage for all mariners, and strengthen India’s maritime sovereignty.” Equipped with four survey boats, an autonomous underwater vehicle, and high-definition remotely operated vehicles, it delivers unmatched accuracy in charting seabeds and coastal regions.
Beyond hydrography, Ikshak serves as a dual-role asset: a floating hospital during crises. Its onboard medical complex features a six-bed facility expandable to 40, complete with an operation theatre, blood bank, and ultrasound. Principal Medical Officer Atul N. Gopinath confirmed its capacity for primary to surgical interventions, enhancing the Navy’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) readiness in wartime or natural calamities.
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Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata with over 80% indigenous components, Ikshak showcases India’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing. Powered by twin MAN diesel engines, it achieves speeds up to 18 knots and accommodates 231 personnel, including dedicated quarters for women officers—a first for large survey vessels and a model for future naval ships.
With advanced AI-driven navigation systems, helicopter facilities, and deep-sea mapping prowess, INS Ikshak elevates India’s blue-water capabilities. As the nation asserts strategic control over critical sea lanes, this versatile warship stands ready to guide, heal, and defend—cementing the Navy’s vision of a secure and sovereign maritime future.
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