The Indian Navy will formally commission the Ikshak ship into service at the Naval Base in Kochi today. The commissioning ceremony will be held in the presence of the Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi.

 

 

The Ministry of Defence informed that Ikshak will enhance the Indian Navy’s hydrographic survey capabilities along with the third vessel of the Survey Vessel class, and the first to be based at the Southern Naval Command.

 

 

The Ministry said that Ikshak stands as a shining example of India’s growing self-reliance in shipbuilding. It added that the name ‘Ikshak’, meaning ‘Guide’ in Sanskrit, aptly defines the ship’s role as a sentinel of precision and purpose.

 

 

The vessel is designed to undertake full-scale coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys of ports, harbours, and navigational channels. The data generated will be vital for ensuring safe navigation at sea, strengthening India’s maritime safety framework.