Indian Navy Commissions Survey Ship Ikshak

Indian Navy Commissions Survey Vessel-Class Ship Ikshak

Why in the News ?

The Indian Navy has commissioned Survey Vessel-Class Ship Ikshak at the Kochi Naval Base, marking a major boost to India’s hydrographic survey capabilities and showcasing the nation’s progress towards self-reliance in indigenous shipbuilding under the Make in India initiative.

Commissioning and Key Highlights:

• The Ikshak ship was officially commissioned into service at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi.
• The ceremony was presided over by Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff.
• Ikshak is the third vessel in the Survey Vessel (Large) Class series and the first to be based at the Southern Naval Command.
• The commissioning aligns with India’s commitment to enhance maritime domain awareness and survey operations, contributing to the nation’s environmental impact assessment capabilities.
• It represents a new step in improving precision mapping and ensuring safe navigation for both commercial and defence maritime operations.

Capabilities and Strategic Importance

• Ikshak is designed to undertake full-scale coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys of ports, harbours, and navigational channels.
• The vessel will collect critical hydrographic data essential for charting navigable routes and ensuring maritime safety, which can also support sustainable forest management in coastal areas.
• It will also assist in maritime infrastructure development, port expansion, and environmental monitoring.
• The data generated will strengthen India’s blue economy initiatives and maritime security framework, potentially contributing to carbon offset projects in marine environments.
• The ship’s commissioning enhances India’s ability to conduct survey operations not only in domestic waters but also across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).