INS Samarthak
INS Samarthak (pennant number A10) is the lead ship of the Samarthak-class multi-purpose vessels (MPVs) operated by the Indian Navy. Built by defense major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) at its Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai, Samarthak is the Indian Navy's first indigenously designed and built Multi-Purpose Vessel.
Designed as a multi-role auxiliary platform, the ship is intended to support weapons and sensor testing, target towing, surface surveillance, uncrewed systems deployment, and humanitarian disaster relief missions.
History
Background and Construction
On 25 March 2022, the Ministry of Defence signed an ₹887-crore contract with Larsen & Toubro for the acquisition of two Multi-Purpose Vessels for the Indian Navy under the "Buy (Indian-IDDM)" category. Constructed at L&T's Kattupalli Shipyard with over 75% indigenous content, the project reflects a major milestone in integrating private domestic shipbuilders into naval auxiliary procurement.
Keel laying for Samarthak took place on 20 March 2023, and the ship was launched on 14 October 2024. Following successful sea trials, L&T handed over the ship to the Indian Navy on 27 August 2026. It was commissioned into active service on 16 October 2026 at Naval Base Karwar in Karnataka, with Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan presiding over the ceremony.
Design and Capabilities
Specifications
Samarthak has a displacement of 3,750 tonnes (3,690 long tons; 4,130 short tons), an overall length of , and a beam of . The vessel is powered by a CODAD propulsion configuration utilizing two Cummins QSK95 diesel engines, providing a top speed of and an endurance range of at .
The vessel has a standard crew complement of 116 personnel, including 8 officers.
Armament and Systems
While primarily acting as a support and test platform, Samarthak carries defensive armament and sensors:
- **Naval Artillery:** 1 × Oto Melara 76 mm main naval gun, 2 × CRN-91 30 mm autocannons, and 2 × 12.7 mm SRCGs.
- **Anti-Submarine Warfare:** Equipment options for 1 × 533 mm twin torpedo launcher for Varunastra heavyweight torpedoes, 1 × 324 mm triple torpedo launcher for Shyena lightweight torpedoes, and an RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launcher.
- **Electronics and EW:** Navigation radar, surface search radar, LINK II tactical datalink connected to the Rukmani SATCOM network, SANKET Mk III electronic warfare (EW) suite, and Kavach anti-missile decoy system.
- **Aviation:** Flight deck and hangar facilities supporting operations of 1 × HAL Dhruv Mk.III utility helicopter.
Operational Role
By taking over non-combatant trial, towing, and auxiliary operations, Samarthak helps preserve the operational availability of frontline combatants such as destroyers and frigates.
Key mission capabilities include:
- **Weapons and Sensor Testbed:** Functioning as a floating trial platform for evaluating new indigenous naval missiles, radars, sonars, and guns.
- **Mothership Operations:** Deploying autonomous surface vehicles (USVs), uncrewed underwater vehicles (UUVs), and mine countermeasures (MCM) systems.
- **Towing & Salvage:** Towing targets for fleet gunnery practice and assisting in maritime salvage or support for Immediate Support Vessels (ISVs).
- **Humanitarian Assistance:** Performing HADR operations, logistics delivery to India's island territories, and providing limited mobile medical assistance.
See also
- Samarthak-class multi purpose vessel
- List of active Indian Navy ships
- Future of the Indian Navy