New Delhi: Indigenous multi-purpose warship Samarthak, endowed with weapons and electronic systems specifically optimised for operations in a challenging maritime environment, is set to be commissioned into the Indian Navy October 16, officials said Tuesday.
The commissioning will mark another significant milestone in India’s drive towards defence self-reliance and the vessel will form an important component of the Navy’s future and ideal ‘utility’ ship for strategically important operations, the defence ministry said.
Samarthak will be commissioned at Karwar naval base in Karnataka.
Built by Larsen and Toubro under the government’s Make in India initiative, the warship is the first of four multi-purpose vessels being inducted into the Indian Navy.
Designed primarily for maritime surveillance and patrol, Samarthak is also capable of undertaking low-intensity maritime operations (LIMO), target deployment and trials platform, unmanned autonomous system mothership, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), conversion to a limited hospital ship and fighting for salvage operations, the ministry said in a statement.
The warship’s integrated combat suite combines indigenous sensors, weapons and electronic systems specifically optimised for operations in the challenging maritime environment, it said.
The crest of Samarthak features the formidable Indian elephant emerging from the waves, symbolising strength, intelligence and agility. The ship’s motto is — ‘Vijayarthama Eknishtatha’ – ‘Victory is Our Sole Aim’, the statement said.
