Indian Navy Commissions First Private-Shipyard Multi-Purpose Vessel INS Samarthak at Karwar
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan commissioned INS Samarthak on 16 October 2026 at the naval base in Karwar. Built by Larsen & Toubro with over 75 percent indigenous content, the 107-metre vessel will test sensors, weapons and unmanned systems.
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The Indian Navy commissioned INS Samarthak, its first multi-purpose vessel built by a private shipyard, at the INS Kadamba naval base in Karwar, Karnataka, on Friday, 16 October 2026.
Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan presided over the ceremony. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad and senior naval and defence officials attended.
Larsen & Toubro constructed the ship at its Kattupalli yard in Tamil Nadu under the Make in India programme. The vessel carries more than 75 percent indigenous content. Navy officials described it as the first major warship contracted to and delivered by a private yard.
Role and design
Samarthak measures about 107 metres in length. It is fitted for maritime surveillance, offshore patrol, target launch and recovery, and operations with unmanned systems. The ship can also support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
Its primary purpose is to serve as a trials platform. The Navy will use it to test and evaluate sensors, weapons and other systems developed by Indian industry before wider adoption. An advanced dynamic positioning system allows stable operations while deploying targets or unmanned craft.
The name Samarthak means “the proponent.” Its crest shows an elephant rising from the sea. The project forms part of a series of four multi-purpose vessels ordered for the fleet.
Statements at commissioning
Vice-President Radhakrishnan said the ship reflected growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing. He noted that its capabilities would help the Navy validate next-generation technologies.
Admiral Swaminathan called the commissioning a concrete step toward Aatmanirbharata. He highlighted that private industry had now delivered a major platform, expanding the industrial base beyond traditional public yards.
The Navy’s official release stated that the induction strengthens the ability to test indigenous systems in realistic sea conditions. Officials expect the vessel to reduce the time between laboratory development and operational use.
Karwar’s naval base has grown as a major operational and training hub on the west coast. The commissioning adds a specialised trials ship to the assets already stationed there.
The delivery also creates work for suppliers of sensors, electronics and mechanical systems across several states. L&T has described the modular construction methods used on Samarthak as a way to shorten build timelines for future private-sector orders.
With the ship now in service, the Navy can begin scheduled trials of systems that have so far been tested only on shore or on smaller craft. The first series of evaluations is expected to cover new radar and weapon interfaces developed under recent defence production contracts.
