Samarthak: Navy to commission first indigenous Multi-Purpose Vessel
Why in the news
The Indian Navy scheduled the commissioning of Samarthak, its first indigenously built Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV), at Naval Base Karwar (Karnataka) on 16 October 2026. Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan was named chief guest.
Key facts
- Builder: Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai, under Make in India.
- First of four MPVs being inducted, according to the Navy.
- Contract: Ministry of Defence signed a ₹887 crore deal with L&T in March 2022 for two MPVs – Samarthak and Utkarsh (under construction).
- Delivery: handed over to the Navy on 27 August 2026.
- Indigenous content: about 75%; combat suite integrates Indian sensors, weapons and electronics.
- Crest: Indian elephant emerging from waves (strength, intelligence, agility); motto Vijayartham Eknishthata – ‘Victory Is Our Sole Aim’.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Length | 107 m |
| Beam | 18.6 m |
| Displacement | 3,750 tonnes |
| Top speed | 15 knots |
| Range | 4,500 nautical miles |
About the Multi-Purpose Vessel
The ship’s main task is maritime surveillance and patrol. It can also carry out Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), deploy targets and act as a trials platform for indigenous weapons and sensors, serve as a mothership for unmanned and autonomous systems, support Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), be converted into a limited hospital ship and assist in salvage work. Its modular design also allows towing of ships.
Exam angle
- Ship name, builder (L&T) and base (Karwar) are likely static-GK questions.
- Sister vessel: Utkarsh; contract value ₹887 crore (2022).
- Links to defence indigenisation under Make in India / Aatmanirbhar Bharat.