INS Sandhayak

INS Sandhayak : Recently, in a major step towards strengthening maritime cooperation in Southeast Asia, the Indian Navy’s 1st indigenously built Survey Vessel Large (SVL), INS Sandhayak, made its maiden port call at Port Klang, Malaysia.

• About INS Sandhayak : The first indigenously designed and built vessel of the Sandhayak-class, constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.

o Multi-Role Capabilities: Equipped for full-scale coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys, oceanographic data collection, search and rescue (SAR) missions, and humanitarian assistance with onboard helicopter and hospital facilities.

o Primary Mission: To conduct hydrographic surveys for ports, harbour approaches, navigational channels, and routes extending up to the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and extended continental shelf.

o Secondary Role: Functions as a hospital ship or offers limited defence support during emergencies or wartime scenarios.

o Advanced Technologies Onboard: Features cutting-edge hydrographic tools such as a Data Acquisition and Processing System, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, Remotely Operated Vehicle, DGPS long-range positioning systems, and digital side-scan sonar.

o Performance: Powered by two diesel engines, the ship can achieve speeds exceeding 18 knots.