Kochi, November 6, 2025 — The Indian Navy has officially commissioned INS Ikshak, a survey vessel-class ship, at the Kochi Naval Base today, marking a significant addition to the Navy’s hydrographic capabilities.
Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in collaboration with L&T Shipbuilding, INS Ikshak is the third vessel in its class and is designed to conduct coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys. It will play a vital role in charting maritime boundaries, supporting navigation, and enhancing India’s maritime domain awareness.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by senior naval officers, shipbuilders, and defence officials, who hailed the vessel as a testament to India’s growing self-reliance in naval shipbuilding under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
Equipped with advanced survey equipment, including multi-beam echo sounders, autonomous underwater vehicles, and data processing systems, INS Ikshak will also support search and rescue operations, environmental monitoring, and oceanographic research.
The ship’s induction strengthens the Navy’s commitment to safe navigation, maritime security, and strategic preparedness in the Indian Ocean Region.
