Vice President CP Radhakrishnan commissions the Indian Navy’s first indigenous Multi-Purpose Vessel INS Samarthak at Karwar Naval Base, in Karnataka on Friday | Photo Credit: ANI

Samarthak, the first of class Multi-Purpose Vessels (MPVs) designed and constructed by L&T Shipyard, was commissioned into the Indian Navy at Karwar, Karnataka, on Friday, indicating growing maturity and capability of the nation’s private shipbuilding industry.

Conceived as a versatile platform for trials and evaluation, INS Samarthak embodies the enhanced technological and operational capabilities of the Indian Navy in the 21st century.

With over 75 per cent indigenous content, the ship incorporates extensive modular construction and pre-outfitting, significantly optimising the build process and construction timelines.

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, who presided over the commissioning INS Samarthak, commended the Indian Navy for its distinguished service in safeguarding national sovereignty and maritime interests.

In a post on X, he also appreciated its role as a first responder and a preferred security partner in the Indian Ocean Region, including anti-piracy operations, the evacuation of Indian citizens and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions.

Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Chief of the Naval Staff, Karnataka’s Minister for Labour and Employment, along with senior naval and defence officials, also graced the occasion. Key representatives of Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T) and OEMs associated with indigenous equipment were also present during the commissioning ceremony.

INS Samarthak marks a significant milestone in India’s indigenous shipbuilding journey as the first major warship to be built by an Indian private shipyard, said an Indian Navy spokesperson. The commissioning is a powerful testament to the deepening synergy between the Indian Navy and the Indian shipbuilding industry in advancing the national vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, he pointed out.

The project has also contributed to employment generation, capability development and plough back into the Indian economy.

“Aptly named Samarthak, meaning ‘The Proponent’ , the ship represents the spirit of a dependable enabler, capable of supporting multiple missions and has been designed with inherent versatility and adaptability, enabling it to undertake diverse range of operational and developmental tasks,” said spokesperson.

INS Samarthak is capable of undertaking maritime surveillance and reconnaissance, offshore patrolling, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations, as required.

The commissioning of INS Samarthak reinforces the nation’s commitment to maritime security, regional stability and cooperative engagement across the Indian Ocean Region. The ship epitomises India’s sustained pursuit of a self-reliant and resilient domestic defence industrial ecosystem.

The induction of INS Samarthak significantly strengthens India’s ability for testing and training new sensors and weapons developed indigenously by domestic industry. The ship’s versatility is an advantage in an unpredictable maritime environment, given the rise of non-traditional maritime threats.

Published on October 16, 2026