Kochi — The Indian Navy is set to commission its indigenously built ship Ikshak on November 6 at the naval base in Kochi, Kerala. Designed to conduct underwater hydrographic studies, Ikshak is the third of four ships classified under the ‘Survey Vessel (Large)’ category. The series began with INS Sandhayak, commissioned in February 2024, followed by INS Nirdeshak in December 2024. The contract for these advanced survey ships was signed in October 2018.
Ikshak is built to perform full-scale coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys of ports and determine navigational routes. It will also gather oceanographic and geophysical data to aid both defence and civil sectors. Weighing approximately 3,400 tons and measuring 110 meters in length, the ship is equipped with state-of-the-art systems including a data acquisition and processing unit, autonomous underwater vehicle, remotely operated vehicle, long-range positioning system, and digital side-scan sonar.
Powered by twin diesel engines, Ikshak can achieve speeds above 18 knots and accommodate up to 231 personnel. It also carries four survey motorboats and an integral helicopter, enhancing its operational range and versatility.
According to the Ministry of Defence, Ikshak’s induction reflects the Navy’s strong commitment to indigenous development and technological self-reliance. The ministry emphasized that this milestone reinforces India’s growing expertise in hydrographic excellence and advanced maritime capability. The commissioning ceremony will be presided over by Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi.
Constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd, Kolkata, under the supervision of the Directorate of Ship Production and the Warship Overseeing Team, Ikshak features over 80 percent indigenous content. Besides its main role in hydrographic surveys, the ship is also equipped for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations and can function as a hospital ship during emergencies. Notably, Ikshak is the first survey vessel designed with dedicated accommodation for women personnel, symbolizing progress in gender inclusivity within the Navy.
