Samarthak: Indian Navy's Advanced Multi-Purpose Vessel Ship

Launch and Project Overview

• First Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) launched on October 14, 2024
• Ceremony held at L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli, Chennai
• Named 'Samarthak' meaning 'Supporter' in Hindi
• Launched by Mrs. Shashi Tripathi, NWWA President
• Part of two-vessel project contracted on March 25, 2022
• Ceremony presided by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of Naval Staff

Technical Specifications and Capabilities

Vessel dimensions:

• • Length: 106 meters
  • Width: 16.8 meters
  • Maximum speed: 15 knots

Multi-role capabilities include:

• • Towing operations for other ships
  • Launch and recovery of various targets
  • Operation of unmanned autonomous vehicles
  • Platform for testing indigenous weapons
  • Maritime surveillance and patrolling
  • Humanitarian assistance operations
• Displacement over 3,750 tonnes
• Designed and constructed in-house by L&T

Strategic Significance

• Strengthens India's indigenous shipbuilding capabilities
• Aligns with government initiatives:
  • 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India)
  • 'Make in India' program
• Demonstrates private sector participation in defense manufacturing
• Part of L&T's larger naval projects:
  • Three cadet training ships under construction
  • Six additional defense vessels
  • US Naval Ship repair capabilities
• Represents significant milestone in naval modernization