On 6th November 2025, the Indian Navy (IN) commissioned Indian Naval Ship (INS) Ikshak (Yard 3027), the third indigenously built Survey Vessel (Large) (SVL) class, at the Southern Naval Command (SNC), in Kochi, Kerala, in a ceremony presided over by Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS).
- Ikshak is the first SVL-class ship to be based at the SNC, the tenth IN platform commissioned in 2025 and the 102nd ship steered by the IN’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB).
- Ikshak, built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Limited, Kolkata (West Bengal, WB)), under a contract signed with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in October 2018.
Exam Hints:
- What? IN commissioned third indigenously-Built SVL class
- Ship Name: INS Ikshak (Yard 3027)
- Presided over: Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, CNS
- Build by: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Limited
- Class: Survey Vessel (Large)
- Role: Hydrographic Survey Vessel
- Based at: Southern Naval Command, Kochi, Kerala
- Order in Class: Third ship (after INS Sandhayak and INS Nirdeshak)
About Indian Naval Ship (INS) Ikshak:
Meaning: The name ‘Ikshak’ is derived from the Sanskrit word for “Guide”, symbolising the vessel’s mission to chart uncharted waters and ensure safe navigation.
Supervision: Directorate of Ship Production (DSP)and Warship Overseeing Team (WOT), Kolkata, WB.
Indigenisation: Over 80% indigenous content, developed in collaboration with Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), supporting the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Dimensions: Length – 110 metres (m); Displacement – 3,400 tonnes.
Speed: Up to 18 knots.
Helicopter Capability: Supports helicopter operations.
Dual-Role Capability: It can function as a hydrographic survey platform and as a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) vessel, including serving as a hospital ship.
Crew Accommodation: First SVL-class ship to feature dedicated women’s accommodation, reflecting the Navy’s inclusive approach.
Equipment: The ship is equipped with state-of-the-art hydrographic systems, including,
- High-resolution Multi-Beam Echo Sounder (MBES)
- Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)
- Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)
- Four Survey Motor Boats (SMBs)
About Survey Vessel (Large) Class:
Overview: The SVL class comprises four ships INS Sandhayak (Yard 3025) (lead ship, commissioned on 3 February 2024), INS Nirdeshak (Yard 3026) (commissioned on 18 December 2024), INS Ikshak (Yard 3027), and the upcoming INS Sanshodhak (Yard 3028), (expected to be commissioned in December 2025).
About Indian Navy(IN):
Chief of Naval Staff (CNS) – Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi
Headquarters –New Delhi, Delhi.
Established– 1950
