INS Nirdeshak commissioning: What’s special about Indian Navy's new survey ship?

The INS Nirdeshak is set to be commissioned today in Visakhapatnam.

The INS Nirdeshak is the Indian Navy’s new survey ship.

The ceremony will be presided over by Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth.

“The Indian Navy is all set to commission its latest survey ship ‘Nirdeshak’ at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam, on December 18,” a Navy spokesperson said.

The ceremony will be hosted by the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command and attended by distinguished guests, including senior naval officials and GRSE representatives.

But what do we know about the INS Nirdeshak? What’s special about the ship?

Let’s take a closer look:

As per Financial Express, the ship is India’s second Survey Vessel Large (SVL).

Part of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government’s the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the ship was constructed by Kolkata’s Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).

The vessel has a displacement of 3,400 tonnes, is 110 meters long and has a beam of 16 meters.

It is powered by two diesel engines and can reach a top speed over 18 knots.

The ship comprises 80 per cent indigenous parts.

According to Financial Express, it has locally made components from Indian original equipment manufacturer and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises such as Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL).

It includes materials such as DMR 249A steel.

Made to conduct hydrographic surveys, it is equipped with state-of-the-art hydrographic and oceanographic equipment.

As per The Hindu, this includes Multi-Beam Echo Sounder (MBES), an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) and Advanced Communication Systems that will allow ‘seamless communication’ with allies.

“With an endurance of over 25 days at sea and a top speed exceeding 18 knots, INS Nirdeshak is set to enhance India’s maritime capabilities. It will play a pivotal role in mapping the nation’s waters and strengthening India’s strategic presence in the Indian Ocean Region through its foreign cooperation surveys,” an Indian Navy spokesman said.

It will also assist in navigation and support maritime operations.

The vessel is the successor of the former ship ‘Nirdeshak.’ That ship served the Indian Navy with distinction for over three decades. It was decommissioned on December 19, 2014.

The Navy also unveiled the crest of the INS Nirdeshak — ‘the Pathfinder of the Seas’ which “symbolises the virtues of India’s maritime sovereignty and technological prowess”.

“At its heart, lies the proud symbol of nation’s territorial integrity serving as the backdrop to a hydrographic survey ship cutting through waves, harnessing the advanced satellite-based navigation and communication systems, and state-of-the-art sub-surface sensors to chart the underwater terrain with precision,” the Navy said.

What’s special about the ship?

According to The Hindu, the INS Nirdeshak’s long-range will increase India’s operational reach.

It will allow the ship to function in the key and remote areas of the Indian Ocean Region and the waters surrounding the Maldives, Seychelles.

The ship will also fulfil the hydrographic needs of these island nations.

These surveys are important as they increase maritime safety by identifying potential problems, keep nautical charts up to date and provide a fillip to the global shipping industry.

India, by helping out these regional states, will emphasise  its role as a valued maritime partner.

The Financial Express piece said that commissioning of the Nirdeshak, alongside the INS Vikrant, reflects India’s journey towards maritime self-reliance.

“This strategic trajectory will not only secure India’s maritime interests but also reinforce its global standing as a technologically advanced nation. The commissioning of INS Nirdeshak is more than an operational milestone; it is a reflection of India’s progress in marrying industrial capability with strategic necessity,” the piece stated.

The piece described the survey ship as ‘a beacon of India’s nation-building ambitions.’

The Hindu quoted an official release from the Eastern Naval Command as saying that the vessel would not only augment the national survey fleet but also certify India’s reputation as a trustworthy partner in the Indian Ocean Region.