‘Ikshak’, the third of the four Survey Vessels (Large) (SVL) Project, being built by GRSE/L&T for the Indian Navy was launched on Saturday at Kattupalli, Chennai.
It made its first contact with the water of the Bay of Bengal at 1040 hrs at the launch ceremony graced by Vice Admiral M A Hampiholi, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Southern Naval Command.
The ship has been named ‘Ikshak’, which means ‘Guide’, to signify the contribution of the survey ships towards facilitating safe passage for mariners at sea.
The contract for building four SVL ships was signed between the Ministry of Defence and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata on 30 October 20 18 for a total cost of Rs 2435 crores.
As per the build strategy adopted by GRSE, the first ship is being built at GRSE, Kolkata, and construction of the balance three ships (up to the outfitting stage) has been sub-contracted to M/s L&T Shipbuilding, Kattupalli.
SVL ships will replace the existing Sandhayak Class survey ships with new-generation hydrographic equipment to collect oceanographic data. The Survey Vessel (Large) ships are 110 m long, and 16 m wide with a deep displacement of 3400 tonnes and a complement of 231 personnel.