Indian Navy to commission INS Samarthak at Karwar

Summary

• Commissioning at Karwar: The Indian Navy is scheduled to commission INS Samarthak, an indigenously designed and built Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV), at Naval Base Karwar on October 16, 2026.
• L&T-built naval platform: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) constructed the vessel at its Kattupalli Shipyard under a ₹887 crore contract for two multipurpose vessels, signed with the Ministry of Defence in March 2022. Samarthak was delivered to the Navy on August 27, 2026.
• Trials, surveillance and support missions: The vessel is designed for maritime surveillance, offshore patrolling, weapons and sensor trials, target deployment and recovery, and unmanned-system operations. It can also support humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and limited hospital functions.

NEW DELHI, October 15, 2026 — The Indian Navy is set to commission INS Samarthak, its first indigenously built Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV), at Naval Base Karwar on Friday, October 16. The induction marks a milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen domestic warship design and construction under the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.

Built by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) at its Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai, Samarthak was delivered to the Indian Navy on August 27, 2026, according to the Ministry of Defence. The vessel was developed as a specialised support and trials platform intended to perform a range of naval duties rather than operate primarily as a frontline combatant.

The project originated in a contract signed between the Ministry of Defence and L&T Shipyard on March 25, 2022, for the construction of two Multi-Purpose Vessels at a total cost of ₹887 crore. The second vessel, INS Utkarsh, was launched at Kattupalli on January 13, 2025. The Ministry’s October 2026 announcement describes Samarthak as the first of four MPVs being inducted into the Navy, although the original L&T contract covered two ships. These are separate programme descriptions and should not be conflated.

The vessel has been designed to support maritime surveillance and reconnaissance, offshore patrols, target deployment and recovery, and the testing of indigenous weapons and sensors. It can also operate as a mothership for unmanned and autonomous systems, giving naval personnel a platform for evaluating emerging maritime technologies.

L&T’s published information gives the vessel a length of approximately 107 metres and a beam of 18.6 metres, with a displacement exceeding 3,750 tonnes. The Ministry of Defence has stated that the MPVs are designed for a maximum speed of 15 knots. The ships were developed through L&T’s in-house Warship Design Centre, with construction undertaken at the company’s Kattupalli facility.

The Ministry has also highlighted Samarthak’s integrated combat suite, which combines indigenous sensors, weapons and electronic systems. Detailed claims about the complete weapon fit, specific torpedo configurations, helicopter certification and other individual systems should be checked against official technical documentation before publication.

A dedicated platform for naval trials

A central purpose of the Samarthak programme is to provide the Navy with a specialised platform for trials and evaluation. Testing weapons, sensors and other equipment at sea requires ships that can support controlled exercises, target deployment, monitoring and recovery.

The MPVs are designed to tow ships, launch and recover targets, operate unmanned autonomous vehicles and serve as test platforms for indigenous weapons and sensors under development. They can also support maritime surveillance and patrol duties, allowing them to contribute to operational requirements beyond their technology-testing role.

This capability is relevant as the Navy continues to develop and integrate new sensors, weapons and autonomous systems. A dedicated trials platform can help provide a suitable environment for evaluation without relying exclusively on frontline warships for every test activity.

However, the extent to which Samarthak will reduce the use of destroyers and frigates for trials will depend on operational tasking and the requirements of individual programmes. The ship should therefore be described as an additional specialised capability rather than a complete replacement for frontline vessels in testing roles.

Support for unmanned systems and disaster relief

Samarthak is designed to operate as a mothership for unmanned and autonomous maritime systems. Its role in launching and recovering such platforms supports the Navy’s ability to evaluate new approaches to surveillance, reconnaissance and other maritime missions.

The vessel also has a wider support role. The Ministry of Defence identifies humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), conversion to a limited hospital ship, and salvage operations among its intended functions. These capabilities give the platform utility during emergencies as well as in routine naval operations.

A limited hospital configuration should not be confused with a dedicated hospital ship. The original claim that Samarthak can be converted into a 50-bed facility with surgical and intensive-care units could not be verified from the cited official releases and has therefore been excluded.

The ship’s crest features an Indian elephant emerging from the waves, symbolising strength, intelligence and agility. Its motto, “Vijayartham Ekanishthata,” translates to “Victory is Our Sole Aim,” according to the Ministry of Defence.

Advancing India’s indigenous naval shipbuilding

Samarthak’s commissioning is part of a broader effort to increase domestic participation in the development and construction of naval platforms. The Ministry of Defence says the vessel contains more than 75% indigenous content, reflecting the role of Indian design and manufacturing in the programme.

The project also demonstrates the contribution of private shipyards to India’s defence-industrial base. L&T’s work on the MPVs forms part of its wider naval shipbuilding activity, which includes other vessels and training ships.

As the Navy expands its use of specialised platforms, Samarthak is intended to provide a flexible asset for trials, surveillance, autonomous-system operations and support missions. Its commissioning will mark the transition from ship delivery to formal service, with its operational contribution depending on how the Navy assigns and employs the vessel.

Why this matters

• More specialised naval support: A dedicated multipurpose vessel can support trials, target deployment, surveillance and other activities that would otherwise require a range of naval assets.
• Testing emerging technologies: Samarthak provides a sea-based platform for evaluating indigenous weapons, sensors and unmanned systems under operational conditions.
• Broader disaster-response capability: Its stated HADR, limited hospital and salvage roles give the Navy an additional platform for supporting emergencies and maritime incidents.
• Private-sector defence manufacturing: The L&T-built vessel highlights the contribution of domestic private shipyards to India’s naval modernisation and self-reliance objectives.

FAQs

Q1: What is the primary role of INS Samarthak?

INS Samarthak is a Multi-Purpose Vessel designed to support maritime surveillance, offshore patrolling, target deployment and recovery, weapons and sensor trials, and the operation of unmanned systems. It can also support humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and salvage operations.

Q2: When and where will INS Samarthak be commissioned?

The Indian Navy is scheduled to commission the vessel at Naval Base Karwar on October 16, 2026, according to the Ministry of Defence.

Q3: Who built INS Samarthak, and what was the project cost?

Larsen & Toubro built the vessel at its Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai. The ₹887 crore contract signed in March 2022 covered two Multi-Purpose Vessels, Samarthak and Utkarsh.

Q4: What are the vessel’s main specifications?

Published information gives the MPVs a length of approximately 107 metres, a beam of 18.6 metres and a displacement exceeding 3,750 tonnes. The Ministry of Defence has stated that the vessels are designed for a maximum speed of 15 knots.

Q5: What is the status of INS Utkarsh?

Utkarsh, the second vessel under the original two-ship contract, was launched at L&T’s Kattupalli Shipyard on January 13, 2025. Its launch was confirmed by the Ministry of Defence and L&T. The specific claim that it is completing final sea acceptance trials should be supported by a newer official update before publication.