The Indian Navy commissioned INS Samarthak at the Karwar naval base in Karnataka on October 16, 2026, marking a milestone in India’s indigenous defence manufacturing programme. Built by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) at its Kattupalli shipyard in Tamil Nadu, the vessel is the first major warship constructed by an Indian private shipyard to enter naval service.
The commissioning ceremony was presided over by Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan in the presence of Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and other senior officials.
Built for Multiple Naval Roles
INS Samarthak is approximately 107 metres long and has more than 75% indigenous content. It is designed primarily for maritime surveillance and patrol, while also supporting low-intensity maritime operations, target deployment and specialised trials.
The vessel’s dynamic positioning system helps it maintain a designated position during operations. It also has facilities for launching and recovering targets, making it a platform for testing indigenous weapons, radars and sensors.
A Platform for Unmanned Systems
Samarthak can function as a mothership for unmanned and autonomous systems, including drones. This capability gives the Navy a platform to support the deployment and testing of emerging technologies for maritime operations.
Its integrated combat suite combines indigenous sensors, weapons and electronic systems designed to operate in challenging maritime conditions. The vessel is expected to contribute to the development and evaluation of new naval technologies.
Humanitarian and Emergency Operations
Beyond military missions, INS Samarthak can support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, including emergency response at sea. It can assist with salvage operations, heavy towing, firefighting, helping vessels in distress and evacuating non-combatants.
The ship can also be configured as a limited hospital vessel when required, allowing it to support medical needs during emergencies and disaster-relief operations.
Private Shipbuilding and Defence Self-Reliance
The commissioning of Samarthak reflects the growing role of private Indian shipyards in naval manufacturing. Its construction under the Make in India initiative supports the government’s push to expand domestic defence production and reduce dependence on imported systems.
The Indian Navy is also looking to apply lessons from the vessel’s development to improve construction quality and reduce shipbuilding timelines. Samarthak is the first of a planned series of multi-purpose vessels, with the programme intended to strengthen the Navy’s operational flexibility and indigenous technology base.
