**Summary:**
The Indian Navy's INS Sandhayak, the first indigenously designed and constructed Survey Vessel Large (SVL), made its maiden port call at Port Klang, Malaysia, from July 16-19, 2025. Commissioned in February 2024, the visit aimed to foster hydrographic cooperation between India and Malaysia, demonstrating India's increasing role in regional hydrographic capacity building under the Indian Naval Hydrographic Department (INHD) and the National Hydrographic Office framework. INS Sandhayak possesses full-scale coastal and deep-water surveying capabilities, oceanographic data collection, and is equipped for Search and Rescue (SAR) and humanitarian operations, including onboard helicopter and hospital facilities. Key objectives of the visit included facilitating technical exchanges, strengthening institutional ties through cooperation in survey technologies, and sustained hydrographic support engagements. The visit program incorporated in-depth knowledge exchange sessions, official receptions, and events designed to promote international goodwill and enhance awareness of the MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision. This engagement underscores India's dedication to regional maritime cooperation. (Source: PIB Delhi, July 19, 2025, Release ID: 2146022).
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Defence: The Indian government ministry responsible for national security and defense.
INS Sandhayak: Indian Navy's indigenously designed and constructed Survey Vessel Large (SVL).
Port Klang, Malaysia: A major port located in Malaysia, where INS Sandhayak made a port call.
Indian Navy: The naval branch of the Indian Armed Forces.
Indian Naval Hydrographic Department INHD: Department responsible for hydrographic surveys and charting in India.
National Hydrographic Office: Framework under which India is growing its role in hydrographic capacity building.
MAHASAGAR Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions: A vision for maritime cooperation, security, and growth in the region.
Sandhayak-class: Class of hydrographic survey ships, of which INS Sandhayak is the first.
Ministry of Defence
INS SANDHAYAK, THE FIRST INDIGENOUS
SURVEY VESSEL LARGE (SVL), VISITS PORT
KLANG, MALAYSIA
Posted On: 19 JUL 2025 12:23PM by PIB Delhi
Indian Navy's indigenously designed and constructed Survey Vessel Large (SVL) INS
Sandhayak made her maiden port call at Port Klang, Malaysia, for hydrographic cooperation,
from 16 - 19 Jul 2025. This visit demonstrates India’s growing role in regional hydrographic
capacity building under the Indian Naval Hydrographic Department (INHD) and the National
Hydrographic Office framework.
INS Sandhayak, the first of the indigenously designed and built Sandhayak-class hydrographic
s u r v e y s h i p , w a s c o m m i s s i o n e d i n F e b 2 0 2 4
(https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2002179). The ship has fullscale
coastal and deepwater surveying capacity, oceanographic data collection and is capable of Search
and Rescue (SAR)/humanitarian operations with onboard helicopter and hospital functions.
The maiden visit of the ship to port Klang aims at facilitating technical exchanges and strengthening
institutional ties via concerted cooperation like sharing of survey technologies and sustained
hydrographic support engagements.
The key activities during the visit include in-depth knowledge exchange sessions, official receptions and
events designed to foster international goodwill and elevate awareness of the MAHASAGAR (Mutual and
Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision. The visit reaffirms India’s
commitment to regional maritime cooperation._____________________________________________________________
VM/SPS 136/25
(Release ID: 2146022)