Survey vessel to have new generation hydrographic equipment to collect oceanographic data
Nirdeshak, the second of the four Survey Vessels (Large) (SVL) Project being built by GRSE in collaboration with L&T shipbuilding for Indian Navy, is a model of Public Private Partnership (PPP) and shall be harbinger of future successful collaboration for warship construction in India, Ministry of Defence said on 26 May 2022.
The ship has taken its name from erstwhile Nirdeshak which was also an Indian Naval Survey ship, decommissioned after 32 years of glorious service in Dec 2014.
Part construction of the three out of four ships of SVL is being undertaken at L&T, Kattupalli as a collaborative approach between GRSE and L&T shipbuilding.
The contract for building four SVL ships was signed between Ministry and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, on 30 Oct 2018. The first of class ship ‘Sandhayak’ was launched on 5 Dec 2021 at GRSE, Kolkata.
The SVL ships will replace the existing Sandhayak Class survey ships with new generation hydrographic equipment to collect oceanographic data.
The Survey Vessel (Large) ships have a deep displacement of about 3,400 tons and a complement of 235 personnel. The ship is designed to operate at cruise speed of 14 knots and maximum speed of 18 knots. Bow & Stern Thrusters have been catered for better manoeuvring at low speeds required during shallow water survey operations. The hull of these ships is made from indigenously developed DMR 249-A steel manufactured by Steel Authority of India Limited.
With a capability to carry four Survey Motor Boats and an integral helicopter, the primary role of the ships would be to undertake full scale coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys of ports and navigational channels.
The ships would also be deployed for collecting oceanographic and geophysical data for defence as well as civil applications. In their secondary role, the ships are capable of providing limited defence, besides serving as Hospital ships during emergencies.
Despite challenges due to COVID-19 pandemic, GRSE has made substantial progress and aim to deliver Sandhayak, the first ship of SVL by Jan 2023.
The Nirdeshak delivery is likely by Apr 2023.
“Launch of the second Survey Vessel reinforces our resolve for indigenous shipbuilding as part of the vision of ‘Make in India’, and ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’,” said the Ministry.
The Survey Vessels Large will have over 80% indigenous content by cost. This will also ensure that large scale defence production is executed by Indian manufacturing units thereby, generating employment and capability build up within the country.
The launch ceremony on 26 May 22 at Kattupalli, Chennai, was graced by the Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Eastern Naval Command. fiinews.com
