In a significant development for India's maritime capabilities, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday re-commissioned INS Sandhayak, the first of four Survey Vessel Large (SVL) ships, at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam on Saturday.
A ceremony was helped which emphasised the vessel's role in enhancing hydrographic surveys, ensuring safe marine navigation, and safeguarding against maritime threats.
During the commissioning, Singh highlighted the vital function of INS Sandhayak in conducting comprehensive hydrographic surveys of ports, harbours, navigational channels, routes, coastal areas, and deep seas.
The vessel's state-of-the-art equipment, including deep-sea and shallow water multibeam echo sounders, autonomous underwater vehicles, and advanced sonars, underscores its capabilities in ensuring maritime security.
Singh pointed out the strategic importance of choke points such as the Gulf of Aden and Gulf of Guinea in the Indian Ocean, which witness a significant amount of international trade.
In the context of maritime threats, especially from pirates, Singh lauded the Indian Navy's prompt response in rescuing ships. He issued a stern warning that maritime piracy and smuggling would not be tolerated, emphasising the Indian Navy's commitment to providing security to both Indian and friendly countries' ships.
The Defence Minister expressed India's commitment to maintaining freedom of navigation, trade, and commerce among nations while addressing the issue of illegal and unregulated fishing in the Indian Ocean.
He highlighted the significance of INS Sandhayak in strengthening India's role as a superpower in the Indo-Pacific region and contributing to peace and security.
Built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, INS Sandhayak boasts a displacement of 3,400 tons and a length of 110 metres, with a beam of 16 metres.
The vessel incorporates advanced hydrographic equipment, including side-scan sonars, a data acquisition and processing system, a remotely operated vehicle, and other cutting-edge features. Impressively, INS Sandhayak comprises 80% indigenous content, showcasing India's growing prowess in naval technology.
Singh commended the country's progress on the path of development, with an increasingly robust Navy playing a crucial role in providing security in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific region.
He praised the Indian Navy as the first responder, reinforcing India's commitment to maritime stability and security. The project is being overseen by the Warship Design Bureau of the Indian Navy.
The event not only marked the induction of a cutting-edge vessel but also paid homage to the legacy of the old INS Sandhayak, the oldest Hydrographic Survey Vessel of the Indian Navy, which was decommissioned in June 2021 after 40 years of distinguished service.
The decommissioned INS Sandhayak had played a pivotal role in the Indian Navy, conducting over 200 major hydrographic surveys along the Western and Eastern coasts of the Indian peninsula, the Andaman Sea, and surveys in neighbouring countries such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Bangladesh.
Its four-decade-long service included significant contributions to crucial operations, including Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka in 1987, Operation Rainbow for Humanitarian Assistance after the Tsunami in 2004, and the maiden Indo-US HADR Exercise Tiger-Triumph in 2019.
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