INS Sanshodhak: India’s Indigenous Survey Vessel Strengthens Maritime Capabilities

INS Sanshodhak the 4th and the final ship under a key naval project has been officially delivered to the Indian Navy. It was built with the strong focus on the indigenous technology and this vessel will enhances India’s ability to conduct the detailed ocean surveys and improve the navigation safety. This development will showcasing the country’s rising  growing focus on the self-reliance and modernization in defense manufacturing and infrastructure..

INS Sanshodhak Delivery To Indian Navy

The Indian Navy has received the final Survey Vessel (Large) which is the INS Sanshodhak and with this delivery it is completing the important four-ship project.

It was built by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited in Kolkata and it was delivered on March 30, 2026.

This project was originally signed in the October 2018 and after so years of design, development and testing.

As this delivery completes the Indian Navy now has the complete fleet of advanced survey vessels which was designed for modern maritime operations.

Four-Ship Survey Vessel Project Completed

INS Sanshodhak is the fourth vessel in the survey class and will following the,

• INS Sandhayak (which was commissioned February 2024)
• INS Nirdeshak (December 2024)
• INS Ikshak (November 2025)

All these ships were designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and it was built under strict classification standards by the Indian Register of Shipping.

Advanced Capabilities of INS Sanshodhak

Ship is equipped with the cutting-edge technology which is to perform both the coastal and deep-sea hydrographic surveys.

Key Features Are like,

• Displacement: Around 3400 tonnes
• Length: 110 metres
• Speed: Over 18 knots
• Propulsion: Twin diesel engines

Modern Equipment Onboard

• Data Acquisition & Processing Systems
• Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)
• Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)
• DGPS long-range positioning system

Digital Side Scan Sonar

These features enable the vessel to,

To map the seabed and underwater terrain
Also to identify safe navigation routes
And will support port and harbor development

Role in Defence and Civil Applications

Beyond the defense capabilities the INS Sanshodhak will play the crucial role in to the,

• Oceanographic research
• Geophysical data collection
• Environmental monitoring

Such data is essential for the maritime navigation safety and also to coastal infrastructure planning. And it will important for the disaster management and response.

Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Indigenous Defense Vision

One of the important aspects of the INS Sanshodhak is it has over the 80% indigenous content.

This will reflects the India’s strong push towards the self-reliance in to the defense manufacturing and also to support the MSMEs and domestic industries and to reduced the dependency on foreign technology.

Question

Q. Which of the following technologies is primarily used for detailed seabed imaging in survey vessels like INS Sanshodhak?

A. Radar Altimeter
B. Side Scan Sonar
C. Infrared Imaging System
D. LIDAR Satellite System