INS Samarthak to Join Navy: 5 Key Capabilities to Know

The Indian Navy will commission INS Samarthak at Naval Base Karwar on October 16, 2026. The multi-purpose vessel is designed to support testing, surveillance, training, and rescue operations. Built by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) under the Make in India initiative, INS Samarthak is the first of two ships under the Samarthak-class project.

Unlike conventional warships built for specific combat roles, the vessel can perform several tasks at sea. It will support weapons testing, unmanned systems, maritime patrol, and humanitarian missions. Its induction also marks another step in the Navy’s efforts to expand its fleet of indigenously built support vessels.

5 Key Capabilities of INS Samarthak

INS Samarthak is designed to support both routine naval operations and specialized missions. Its key capabilities include:

• Weapons and sensor testing: The vessel can serve as a sea-based testing platform for the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and private companies. It can support the evaluation of radars, sonars, and missile systems.
• Unmanned systems operations: It can launch, operate, and recover unmanned surface and aerial vehicles, supporting trials and missions involving autonomous technologies.
• Naval training: The ship can deploy, tow, and retrieve aerial and surface targets for gunnery, air-defense, and anti-submarine warfare exercises.
• Surveillance and maritime support: It is designed for patrol, surveillance, and Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO). Its capabilities also include heavy towing, salvage, and marine pollution response.
• Humanitarian assistance: The vessel can be configured for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions. It can also be converted into a limited-capacity hospital ship when required.

The ship features an integrated combat suite combining indigenous sensors, weapons, and electronic systems. Its listed armament includes an OTO Melara 76 mm gun, CRN-91 30 mm automatic cannons, and Stabilized Remote Controlled Gun (SRCG) systems.

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Its anti-submarine equipment includes Varunastra and Shyena torpedo launchers and RBU-6000 rocket launchers. The vessel also carries the indigenous SANKET Mk III Electronic Support Measures system and Kavach chaff countermeasures.

INS Samarthak has a flight deck with provisions for operating a HAL Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter. Its Dynamic Positioning System helps maintain a precise position at sea during specialized operations.

INS Samarthak: Specifications and Project Details

The vessel’s key technical specifications are:

• Displacement: 3,750 tonnes
• Length: 107 meters
• Beam: 18.6 meters
• Maximum speed: 15 knots
• Operational range: 4,500 nautical miles
• Crew capacity: 116 personnel, including eight officers

L&T is building two multi-purpose vessels, INS Samarthak and INS Utkarsh, under a Defense Ministry contract worth Rs 887 crore. The contract was signed on March 25, 2022. INS Utkarsh was launched on January 14, 2025, and is undergoing tests and sea trials ahead of its final handover.

The vessel’s crest depicts an Indian elephant emerging from the waves, symbolizing strength, intelligence, and agility. Its motto is “Victory is Our Sole Aim.”

With its mix of testing, training, surveillance, and emergency-response capabilities, INS Samarthak is designed to support varied naval requirements. Its commissioning will bring the first vessel under the two-ship project into service, while INS Utkarsh continues through trials.