Vice President C P Radhakrishnan commissioned INS Samarthak into the Indian Navy at Karwar. The indigenous vessel strengthens testing of advanced weapons, sensors and unmanned systems.
The commissioning of the indigenous multi-purpose vessel INS Samarthak into the Indian Navy took place in in Karwar, Karnataka. (File photo)
Karwar, Karnataka,Oct 16, 2026 15:57 IST
India's growing shipbuilding capabilities and technological advances will strengthen the Navy's ability to respond to emerging maritime security challenges, Vice President CP Radhakrishnan said on Friday, according to news agency PTI.
Radhakrishnan was speaking after the commissioning of the indigenous multi-purpose vessel INS Samarthak into the Indian Navy in Karwar, Karnataka. Built by Larsen and Toubro at its Kattupalli shipyard in Tamil Nadu, the vessel has more than 75 per cent indigenous content.
The Vice President said INS Samarthak would serve as a dedicated platform to test and evaluate next-generation weapons, sensors and emerging technologies, helping the Navy turn indigenous innovations into operational capabilities.
He said maritime technology was changing rapidly, with autonomous systems, unmanned platforms, advanced sensors, artificial intelligence and connected operations transforming naval warfare and maritime security.
"A versatile platform dedicated to trials and evaluation will help the Navy adapt faster and translate indigenous innovation into operational capabilities," Radhakrishnan said.
Officials told Press Trust of India that INS Samarthak would support maritime surveillance, offshore patrolling, the launch and recovery of targets, operations involving unmanned systems, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, besides meeting other emerging naval requirements.
Radhakrishnan said the vessel's commissioning reflected India's growing confidence in its industrial, technological and shipbuilding capabilities. He praised Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan and naval officers and sailors for maintaining operational readiness.
He also paid homage to personnel who made the supreme sacrifice while safeguarding the country's maritime boundaries.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the Indian Ocean region, the Vice President said India's sea lanes carried a substantial share of its trade and energy supplies, making maritime security central to the country's economic growth, security and prosperity.
He said the Indian Navy had consistently served as a first responder and preferred security partner in the Indian Ocean region through maritime security operations, anti-piracy missions, evacuations of Indian citizens, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
Recalling India's maritime heritage, Radhakrishnan referred to the naval strength of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who built a fleet in the 1650s to protect the Konkan coastline from European powers.
He also cited the naval achievements of the Chola dynasty, whose maritime influence extended across the Bay of Bengal to Southeast Asia.
Radhakrishnan also recalled India's naval experiences during the 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan, saying the Navy had since made significant progress in strengthening its capabilities.
He said Karwar held a special place in India's maritime security system because of its deep natural harbour and strategic proximity to the Arabian Sea.
The naval infrastructure being developed under Project Seabird, including berthing facilities, a naval air station, a naval dockyard and logistics support, would significantly improve the Navy's ability to base and sustain a large number of ships and submarines once completed. The project was also creating wider economic opportunities for the region, he added.
Admiral Swaminathan described the commissioning as a significant step towards Aatmanirbharata, or self-reliance. "Samarthak is the first major or big warship contracted to and constructed by a private shipyard to be commissioned into the Indian Navy," he said, according to Press Trust of India.
The commissioning of INS Samarthak gives the Navy an indigenous platform to test new weapons, sensors and unmanned systems while also supporting surveillance, patrol, relief and other emerging operational requirements.
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