Survey Vessel Sanshodhak

Source: PIB

Subject: Security

Summary:

• Statutory Status: Officially the fourth and final ship of the Survey Vessel (Large) (SVL) class for the Indian Navy.
• Legislative/Policy Mechanism: Part of the indigenous project signed in October 2018, steered by the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau.
• Timeline: Keel laid in June 2022; launched in June 2023; officially delivered to the Indian Navy in early 2026 following rigorous sea trials.
• Policy Finality: Completes the replacement of the aging Sandhayak Class ships, fulfilling the SVL project goals.
• Economic/Strategic Goal: Achieves over 80% indigenous content, bolstering the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in specialized warship construction.

Key Provisions & Features of Survey Vessel Sanshodhak

1. Project Completion and Lineage

• The Final Piece: Sanshodhak (meaning “Researcher”) is the last of four vessels. It joins its sister ships: INS Sandhayak, INS Nirdeshak, and INS Ikshak.
• Indigenous Design: Developed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, involving significant participation from Indian MSMEs.

2. Technical Specifications

• Scale: 110 meters in length with a displacement of 3,400 tons.
• Performance: Twin diesel engines allow speeds exceeding 18 knots.
• High-Tech Suite: Equipped with Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV), Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV), and Data Acquisition Systems for sophisticated seafloor mapping.

3. Strategic Applications

• Hydrographic Excellence: Conducts deep-water and coastal surveys of ports and harbor approaches.
• Navigational Safety: Identifies critical channels to ensure safe passage for both naval and commercial fleets.
• Dual-Purpose Utility: While primarily for defense, the oceanographic and geophysical data supports civil maritime trade and environmental research.

Examination Focused MCQs

Q1. What is the literal meaning of the name ‘Sanshodhak’, reflecting its primary role?
A) Protector B) Navigator C) Researcher D) Destroyer

Q2. The ‘Survey Vessel Sanshodhak’ was built with an indigenous content of approximately what percentage by cost? A) 50% B) 65% C) Over 80% D) 100%

Q3. Which class of survey ships is the Survey Vessel (Large) project intended to replace?
A) Rajput Class B) Sandhayak Class C) Talwar Class D) Shivalik Class

Q4. Which of the following is NOT one of the four ships built under the SVL project?
A) INS Sandhayak B) INS Vikrant C) INS Nirdeshak D) INS Ikshak

Q5. In terms of specialized equipment, what does the Sanshodhak utilize for high-resolution underwater imaging?
A) Digital Side Scan Sonar B) Infrared Thermal Mapping C) Surface-to-Air Radar D) Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Answer Key:

1. C) Researcher (Reflecting its data-collection role).
2. C) Over 80% (Aligned with Aatmanirbhar Bharat goals).
3. B) Sandhayak Class (The project aims to replace these older platforms with more capable ones).
4. B) INS Vikrant (INS Vikrant is an Aircraft Carrier, not a survey vessel).
5. A) Digital Side Scan Sonar (Used specifically for underwater imaging and mapping).