The Indian Navy received its first indigenous multi-purpose vessel, Samarthak, recently from Larsen & Toubro’s Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai. The 107-metre vessel, featuring 75 per cent indigenous content, represents a significant advancement in India’s defence manufacturing capabilities and maritime self-reliance.
Samarthak, meaning ‘The Proponent’, is the first of two multi-purpose vessels contracted under a Rs 887 crore agreement signed between the Ministry of Defence and L&T Shipyard in March 2022. The vessel was launched in October 2024 at Kattupalli Shipyard and has since undergone comprehensive sea trials to test its systems and capabilities.
The 3,750-tonne platform has been designed for multiple roles including maritime surveillance, patrolling, and humanitarian operations. The vessel will also serve as a trial platform for testing next-generation indigenous weapons and sensors under development for the Navy. Measuring 107 metres in length and 18.6 metres in width, Samarthak can achieve a maximum speed of 15 knots and has a range of 4,500 nautical miles.
The vessel’s modular design allows adaptability across varied operational requirements, from heavy-lift operations to combating sea pollution, reducing reliance on specialised ships.
The vessel’s delivery aligns with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives, showcasing the Indian Navy’s collaboration with private shipyards to bolster domestic manufacturing. The second vessel in the project, Utkarsh, is currently under construction at the same facility and is expected to be delivered in the coming months.
