The Indian Navy is set to enhance its maritime capabilities with the commissioning of its latest survey ship, INS Nirdeshak, scheduled for December 18 at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. A senior Navy official announced that the ceremony will be presided over by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and will take place in the presence of distinguished guests, including senior naval officials and representatives from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), which constructed the vessel.

INS Nirdeshak, which boasts over 80 percent indigenous content, signifies a significant stride towards India’s goal of self-reliance in defense manufacturing, known as Aatmanirbharta. The ship was built at GRSE in Kolkata and is built to modern standards, reflecting India’s advancements in ship design and marine technology. The vessel is 110 meters in length with a displacement of approximately 3,800 tonnes, and it is powered by two diesel engines.

Equipped with state-of-the-art hydrographic and oceanographic survey equipment, INS Nirdeshak is the second ship of the Survey Vessel (Large) Project. Its primary functions include conducting hydrographic surveys, aiding navigation, and supporting various maritime operations. This new ship is a reincarnation of the original ‘Nirdeshak,’ which served the Indian Navy commendably for 32 years until its decommissioning on December 19, 2014.

With an operational endurance exceeding 25 days at sea and a top speed of over 18 knots, INS Nirdeshak is expected to significantly bolster India’s maritime capabilities. The ship is designed to play a vital role in mapping India’s waters, thereby enhancing the country’s strategic presence in the Indian Ocean Region. Additionally, it will assist in foreign cooperation surveys aimed at strengthening regional maritime ties.

The Navy also introduced the crest for INS Nirdeshak, encapsulated with the motto ‘the Pathfinder of the Seas.’ This emblem symbolizes India’s maritime sovereignty and technological capabilities. The design features the proud symbol of the nation’s territorial integrity, illustrated against a backdrop of the ship navigating through waves, utilizing advanced satellite-based navigation and communication systems, as well as state-of-the-art sub-surface sensors for precise underwater mapping. This commissioning marks a significant milestone in India’s growing naval prowess and commitment to enhancing maritime security in the region.

In recent years, the Indian Navy has faced several incidents involving its submarines, raising concerns about the safety and operational readiness of its underwater fleet. Notably, in 2015, the Kilo-class submarine INS Sindhughosh collided with a fishing vessel off the western coast, resulting in minor damage to its periscope. This incident underscored the potential risks posed by navigating busy maritime routes.

Prior incidents also highlight serious challenges. In February 2014, a fire broke out on the INS Sindhuratna, tragically claiming the lives of two officers onboard. This unfortunate event raised questions about fire safety protocols on naval vessels. Earlier, in August 2013, the INS Sindhurakshak was severely damaged by explosions while berthed at the naval dockyard near Mumbai, leading to the loss of fifteen sailors along with three officers, a devastating incident that prompted a thorough review of submarine safety measures.

The history of the INS Sindhughosh also includes a significant collision in January 2008 with the foreign merchant vessel MV Leeds Castle while attempting to surface near Mumbai. These incidents are part of a broader narrative regarding the aging fleet of submarines operated by the Indian Navy, which includes vessels that are over 20 years old.

Currently, the Indian Navy operates a total of 16 submarines across various classes, including five Kalvari (Scorpene) class submarines, four Shishumar class (HDW SSKs), and seven Sindhughosh class submarines. The introduction of new submarines into service has been sluggish, with only five Scorpene boats currently operational and a sixth yet to be commissioned.

In stark contrast, China has significantly bolstered its naval capabilities, boasting a fleet that now consists of 355 warships and submarines, making it the largest navy in the world. This expansion includes a continuous deployment of Chinese warships and submarines into the Indian Ocean, further heightening strategic concerns for India. The comparison between India’s 130-strong naval fleet and China’s growing maritime power underscores the urgent need for India to modernize and expand its underwater capabilities in response to the shifting balance of power in the region.

In a landmark development for India’s defense preparedness, the indigenous Indian Light Tank (ILT) has successfully completed its trials, demonstrating impressive performance by firing several rounds at varying ranges from an altitude exceeding 4,200 meters. This achievement marks a crucial step in enhancing the Army’s operational capabilities along the sensitive border with China.

Weighing in at 25 tonnes, the ILT is an adaptable armored fighting vehicle designed specifically to strengthen India’s military presence in challenging terrains. The tank’s development is strategically significant, primarily countering China’s deployment of similar tank models in the region.

The ILT has also proven its versatility in logistics, as the Indian Air Force has confirmed its ability to be airlifted to remote locations, thus ensuring swift deployment in areas traditionally hard to access via conventional transport methods such as road or rail.

Plans are in place for the Indian Army to acquire over 350 units of the light tank, predominantly for deployment in the mountainous border regions where such vehicles can operate effectively. This latest trial follows a previous phase conducted in September that focused on desert environments, underscoring the ILT’s adaptability to diverse operational conditions.

Developed by the Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment, the Chennai-based laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the ILT has been aligned with the Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements set forth by the Indian Army. The manufacturing of this tank involves collaboration with the industry partner, Larsen & Toubro Precision Engineering & Systems.

The defense ministry released a statement highlighting that the completion of these two phases of internal performance trials was bolstered by collaborative efforts from the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force. The ILT is set to undergo further evaluations before the commencement of user trials, which will assess its functionality and readiness for operational deployment.

Acknowledging the success of the high-altitude trials, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh extended his praise to DRDO, the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, and L&T for their concerted efforts and achievements in advancing India’s military capabilities. This development is a clear indication of India’s commitment to enhancing its defense infrastructure in response to evolving security challenges in the region.

The Indian Navy is poised to enhance its operational capabilities with the commissioning of its latest survey ship, INS Nirdeshak, scheduled for December 18 at Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. This significant event will be presided over by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth and is expected to draw attention from senior naval officials and representatives from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), which constructed the vessel.

INS Nirdeshak, measuring 110 meters in length and displacing approximately 3,800 tonnes, stands out with over 80 percent indigenous content. This achievement underscores the Indian Navy’s commitment to self-reliance and ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in naval capabilities. The vessel is powered by two diesel engines that enable it to reach speeds in excess of 18 knots and provides an endurance of more than 25 days at sea.

The ship is equipped with cutting-edge hydrographic and oceanographic survey technology, emphasizing its designed purpose to conduct hydrographic surveys, aid navigation, and support various maritime operations. This new addition to the fleet is particularly notable as it represents the reincarnation of the original Nirdeshak, which served the Indian Navy effectively for 32 years before its decommissioning on December 19, 2014.

Highlighting its significance, the Navy has unveiled the crest of INS Nirdeshak, aptly named ‘the Pathfinder of the Seas.’ This emblem symbolizes India’s maritime sovereignty and technological advancement, featuring an image of the hydrographic survey ship navigating through waves. The crest also incorporates advanced satellite-based navigation and communication systems alongside state-of-the-art sub-surface sensors, illustrating the ship’s capabilities in accurately charting underwater terrains.

As India seeks to bolster its strategic foothold in the Indian Ocean Region, INS Nirdeshak is expected to play a vital role in mapping national waters and supporting maritime cooperation with other nations. The commissioning of this ship marks a significant step for the Indian Navy as it continues to develop indigenous capabilities and further its mission in naval operations.