**Executive Summary**
On 30 March 2026, the Indian Navy received ‘Sanshodhak’, the fourth and final ship of the Survey Vessel (Large) project, from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), Kolkata. This delivery completes the four-ship contract signed in October 2018, following the previous commissioning of INS Sandhayak, INS Nirdeshak, and INS Ikshak. The project highlights India’s focus on maritime prowess and the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative through high indigenous content.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Project Overview and Design**
* **Final Delivery:** ‘Sanshodhak’ (Yard 3028) is the last of four Survey Vessel (Large) ships designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau.
* **Construction:** The vessel was built by GRSE, Kolkata, in accordance with the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping.
* **Indigenization:** The ship features over 80% indigenous content by cost, involving contributions from Indian industry and MSMEs.
* **Timeline:** The contract was signed on 30 October 2018; the keel was laid in June 2022, and the ship was launched in June 2023.
**Technical Specifications**
* **Dimensions:** The vessel has a displacement of approximately 3,400 tons and an overall length of 110 meters.
* **Propulsion:** It is powered by two diesel engines, capable of achieving speeds exceeding 18 knots.
* **Equipment:** It is fitted with state-of-the-art hydrographic technology, including Data Acquisition and Processing Systems, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV), Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV), DGPS long-range positioning, and Digital Side Scan Sonar.
**Operational Role and Capabilities**
* **Hydrographic Surveying:** Capable of full-scale coastal and deep-water surveys of port and harbor approaches.
* **Navigation:** Designed to determine navigational channels and routes.
* **Data Collection:** Tasked with collecting oceanographic and geophysical data for both civil and defense applications.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Navy**
**Impact**
The Navy completes a significant fleet expansion project, gaining advanced capabilities for deep-water surveys and data collection to enhance maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.
**Action Required**
Formal induction of the vessel into the fleet and deployment for hydrographic and oceanographic missions.
**Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE)**
**Impact**
Successfully fulfilled the 2018 contract by delivering all four large survey vessels, reinforcing its position as a primary shipbuilder for the Ministry of Defence.
**Action Required**
Conclude the project lifecycle and leverage the experience of high indigenization for future naval contracts.
**MSMEs and Indian Industry**
**Impact**
Benefited from the 80% indigenous cost requirement, which supported local manufacturing and collaborative design efforts.
**Action Required**
Continue providing technological and manufacturing support for the maintenance and future development of indigenous naval assets.
Key Entities Referenced
Sanshodhak: The fourth and final Survey Vessel (Large) delivered to the Indian Navy, completing a four-ship project for hydrographic surveys and data collection.
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE): The Kolkata-based shipyard responsible for designing and building the four Survey Vessel (Large) ships.
Indian Navy: The primary service branch that inducted the vessel to enhance maritime prowess and conduct deep-water hydrographic surveys.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat: The national self-reliance initiative supported by the vessel's construction, which features over 80% indigenous content by cost.
Indian Register of Shipping: The classification society whose rules were followed for the design and construction of the Survey Vessel (Large) ships.
Ministry of Defence
FOURTH SURVEY VESSEL (LARGE)
‘SANSHODHAK’ DELIVERED TO INDIAN NAVY
AT GRSE KOLKATA
INDIAN NAVY INDUCTS FINAL SURVEY VESSEL (LARGE)
‘SANSHODHAK’, COMPLETING FOUR-SHIP PROJECT
Posted On: 31 MAR 2026 9:35AM by PIB Delhi
Sanshodhak (Yard 3028), the last Survey Vessel (Large) ship steered by the Indian Navy’s Warship
Design Bureau, being built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), Kolkata was
delivered to the Indian Navy on 30 Mar 2026.
The contract for four Survey Vessel (Large) ships was signed on 30 Oct 2018. The previous ships of the
same class, INS Sandhayak, INS Nirdeshak and INS Ikshak were commissioned on 03 Feb 2024, 18
Dec 2024 and 06 Nov 2025, respectively.
The SVL ships are designed and built as per classification rules of Indian Register of Shipping by M/s
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), Kolkata. The ship is capable of full-scale coastal
and deep-water Hydrographic survey of port/Harbour approaches and determination of
navigational channels/ routes. The ship's role also includes collecting oceanographic and geophysical
data for defence and civil applications.
With a displacement of about 3400 tons and an overall length 110 meters, Sanshodhak is fitted with
state-of-the-art hydrographic equipment such as Data Acquisition and Processing System,
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, Remotely Operated Vehicle, DGPS long-range positioning
systems, Digital Side Scan Sonar, etc. Powered by two diesel engines, the ship can achieve speeds in
excess of 18 knots.
Keel of the ship was laid in Jun 22 and the ship was launched in Jun 23. The ship has undergone a
comprehensive schedule of trials in harbour and at sea prior to its delivery.
Sanshodhak has an indigenous content in excess of 80% by cost. The delivery of Sanshodhak is a
testimony to the relentless efforts of the Government of India and the Indian Navy towards Aatmanirbhar
Bharat and is a tribute to the collaborative efforts of a large number of stake holders, MSMEs and the
Indian industry in enhancing the maritime prowess of the nation in the Indian Ocean Region.***
VM/SKY 59/26
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