Indian Navy Receives First Indigenous Multi-Purpose Vessel ‘Samarthak’

The Indian Navy has taken delivery of Samarthak, its first locally built Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV), constructed by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) at its Kattupalli shipyard near Chennai.

The vessel was delivered on Thursday, Aug. 27. More than 75% of the vessel’s components are made in India. It will mainly be used to test and evaluate new naval weapons, sensors and other systems.

The vessel can also be used to monitor and survey maritime areas, carry out patrols offshore, and assist in humanitarian and disaster relief missions.

Samarthak has a displacement of more than 3,750 tonnes and can reach a maximum speed of 15 knots. It is about 107 metres long and 18.6 metres wide.

The vessel can launch and recover different types of aerial, surface and underwater targets for gunnery and anti-submarine warfare exercises.

It can also operate autonomous, remote-controlled and unmanned surface and aerial vehicles.

Samarthak can launch and recover torpedoes and tow other ships. It can also handle heavy-lift work, salvage operations and sea pollution.

The vessel can support logistics missions to India’s island territories and humanitarian operations. It also has limited hospital facilities.

Samarthak was built under an ₹887 crore “Buy (Indian)” contract signed by the Ministry of Defence and L&T on March 25, 2022.

The vessel was initially scheduled to be delivered in May 2025, but the delivery timeline was later changed.

The ship was launched at Kattupalli on Oct. 14, 2024. Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, who was then Chief of Naval Staff, presided over the launch ceremony.

Samarthak is the first of two Multi-Purpose Vessels ordered under the contract. The second vessel, INS Utkarsh, was launched on Jan. 14, 2025.

It is currently undergoing tests and sea trials before being handed over to the Navy.

The name Samarthak means “The Proponent”. The Navy said the name represents Samarthak’s role in different missions.

The Ministry of Defence said the vessel will support India’s domestic defence industry. The Navy has not yet announced its commissioning date.

References: ddindia, idrw