Indian Navy welcomes first indigenous multi-purpose vessel

The Indian Navy has taken delivery of Samarthak, the service’s first indigenously built multi-purpose vessel, constructed by Larsen & Toubro (L&T).

The delivery ceremony took place in Kattupalli on August 27, 2026. The ship comprises over 75 percent indigenous content and has been conceived as a versatile trial and evaluation platform.

Furthermore, the vessel is engineered to perform maritime surveillance and reconnaissance, offshore patrolling and support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, when required.

The name Samarthak means ‘the proponent’ and signifies the unit’s intended role as a dependable enabler of multiple missions. Moreover, Samarthak is not limited to one specific task but is engineered to support a wide spectrum of activities, thereby embodying the concept of a multi-purpose vessel. 

The delivery of Samarthak is yet another milestone in the Indian Navy’s indigenous shipbuilding journey and a reaffirmation of the Government’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. 

As part of the indigenous shipbuilding program, the Indian Coast Guard recently took delivery of fast patrol vessel ICGS Ajit (Yard 1277) from Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).

The 51.43-meter-long and 8-meter-wide vessel has a displacement of 330 tons at a draft of 2.5 meters. It is powered by twin marine diesel engines driving controllable-pitch propellers (CPP), a first-of-its-kind feature in this class of fast patrol vessels, providing improved propulsion efficiency and operational performance.

With a top speed of more than 27 knots and an endurance of 1,500 nautical miles, the vessel is equipped with an advanced integrated machinery control system designed to enhance operational readiness, efficiency, and sustainability.

The vessel is built with more than 65 per cent indigenous content, according to the officials. ICGS Ajit will be operated by a crew of 6 officers and 35 sailors.

The unit has been designed to undertake a range of critical maritime security missions, including fisheries protection, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance, coastal patrolling, anti-smuggling and anti-piracy operations, as well as search and rescue missions.