‘Samarthak’ Joins Indian Navy: Indigenous Warship to Support Weapons Trials, Drone Operations

The Indian Navy on Friday commissioned Samarthak, its first major multi-purpose warship built by a private shipyard, marking a significant milestone in India's drive towards defence self-reliance and advanced maritime capabilities.

Built by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) at its Kattupalli shipyard in Tamil Nadu, the vessel has more than 75 per cent indigenous content. Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan attended the commissioning ceremony at Karwar naval base, where Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan highlighted its wide-ranging operational capabilities.

Samarthak is the first of four multi-purpose vessels being inducted into the Navy. Unlike ships designed for a single specialised role, it will serve as a versatile platform for maritime surveillance, coastal patrols, weapons testing, training and emergency response.

One of its key functions is to test and evaluate indigenous weapons, radars, sensors and emerging defence technologies at sea before they are deployed operationally. Its dynamic positioning system allows it to maintain its position during specialised trials. The vessel can also launch and recover aerial and surface targets used in naval exercises.

Samarthak is designed to operate as a mothership for unmanned and autonomous systems, supporting the deployment and recovery of such platforms. It will also undertake low-intensity maritime operations and help the Navy strengthen its surveillance and operational readiness.

Its capabilities extend beyond military testing. Equipped with heavy-towing facilities, medical infrastructure and firefighting systems, the vessel can assist ships in distress, support salvage operations and respond to maritime emergencies. It can also undertake humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, support non-combatant evacuations and be configured for limited hospital duties.

Admiral Swaminathan said the ship would help accelerate the transition of indigenous technologies from prototypes to operational deployment, while supporting naval operations across distant maritime zones.

He also called for lessons from the project to improve construction quality and reduce shipbuilding timelines.

The commissioning strengthens the partnership between the Navy and India's private defence industry, advancing the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision and the country's ambition to become a stronger maritime security partner in the region.