Indian Navy Accepts First Samarthak Multi-Purpose Vessel From L&T
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has delivered the Indian Navy’s first domestically built Multi-Purpose Vessel, the INS Samarthak, at the shipbuilder’s center in Kattupalli, Tamil Nadu.
The vessel is part of an 8.87-billion rupee ($93.4 million) deal signed in 2022 for a new class of naval support platforms assembled by an indigenous workforce and with locally sourced components, fulfilling more than 75 percent of the government’s domestic participation mandate.
Once deployed, the new ship will assist in testing the force’s next-generation weapons, sensors, and unmanned systems.
It will also conduct maritime surveillance, offshore patrolling, target launch and recovery, torpedo retrieval, and humanitarian relief operations.
Among the vessel’s critical capabilities are a dynamic positioning system for precise maneuvering, limited hospital facilities, sea pollution control equipment, and the capacity to support remote island logistics.
“This is a momentous occasion, and we are proud to have delivered the first of its kind multi-purpose vessel to the Navy,” said Arun Ramchandani, SVP and head at L&T Precision Engineering & Systems.
“This reaffirms L&T’s shipbuilding capability to undertake construction of warships and showcases L&T’s commitment to national security.”
The Indian Navy is expected to receive a second platform under its Multi-Purpose Vessel series.
The ship, named INS Utkarsh, was launched in January 2025 and is now undergoing sea trials in preparation for its handover.
India’s Samarthak-Class Platform
The Samarthak Multi-Purpose Vessel measures 107 meters (351 feet) long and is built with a 19-meter (62-foot) beam, supporting accommodation for more than 100 sailors and a tactical helicopter similar to the HAL Dhruv.
The ship is equipped with a 213mm anti-submarine rocket launcher, a 324mm triple torpedo launcher, a 533mm twin torpedo launcher, a 76mm naval gun, 30mm autocannons, 12.7mm auxiliary guns, and an electronic warfare suite.
It is powered by two Cummins QSK95 diesel engines that support a speed of 15 knots (28 kilometers/17 miles per hour) and a range of 4,500 nautical miles (8,334 kilometers/5,179 miles).
Source: The Defence Post
