GRSE launches 'first of class' indigenous survey vessel for Indian Navy

Upholding the maritime traditions, the ship was named “Sandhayak”.

It was launched by Pushpa Bhatt, wife of Ajay Bhatt,  Raksha Rajya Mantri,who graced the occasion as the chief guest.

Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh, Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition,Vice Admiral Adhir Arora, Chief Hydrographer to the Govt of India, Rear Admiral Vipin Kumar Saxena (IN, Retd), Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE, Cmde Sanjeev Nayyar, IN(Retd), Director (Shipbuilding), GRSE, Cmde PR Hari, IN(Retd), Director (Personnel), GRSE, Shri RK Dash, Director (Finance), GRSE,other Senior Officials of GRSE, Indian Armed Forces and Industry were present at the occasion.

The ceremony was conducted in true maritime traditions with the application of vermillion, breaking of coconut on the ship’s bow and chanting of vedic mantras.

On this momentous occasion, Ajay Bhatt, Raksha Rajya Mantri (Minister of State for Defence), appreciated GRSE’s efforts and said, "Launch of first Survey Vessel (Large) ‘Sandhayak’ today reinforces our commitment for indigenous shipbuilding as part of our Prime Minister's vision of ‘Make in India', and thrust to the vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India).

"The vessel will have over 80% indigenous content by cost and this will also ensure that large scale defense production is executed by Indian manufacturing units, thereby generating employment and expertise within our country. It's a matter of great significance that GRSE had achieved a historic milestone, when the 100th warship was delivered by the shipyard. I am confident that the shipyard will scale greater heights in years to come and realise its vision of becoming a world leader in warship building."

Highlighting the achievement of another key milestone for the Shipyard, Rear Admiral V.K.Saxena, IN (Retd.), Chairman& Managing Director said, "The Survey Vessel (Large) is one of our proud creations for the Indian Navy and coincidentally the previous ‘Sandhayak’ class of Hydrographic Survey Ships were also built by GRSE.

"The first ship of that class“Sandhayak” got decommissioned in Jun 2021 after 40 years of glorious service to the nation and her name lives on in true traditions of the Indian Navy. The present survey ships are equipped with new generation hydrographic equipment and is testimony to the maturity of ourindigenous construction capability towards realization of ‘Atma-Nirbharta’ (Self-reliance).

"The achievement of this major milestone despite challenges posed by the ongoing pandemic, stands testimony to the commitment and capability of the GRSE.”