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India's Steady Lighthouse: Navy Chief Hails INS Ikshak Amid Global Turbulence

The Indian Navy has commissioned its third indigenously built survey vessel, INS Ikshak, at Kochi naval base. Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi presided over the ceremony, highlighting India's growing maritime confidence. The ship features nearly 80% indigenous content, reflecting India's defense self-reliance success. This marks the Navy's tenth commissioning this year, significantly boosting India's hydrographic survey capabilities.

Key Points: INS Ikshak Commissioned as Navy Chief Touts Aatmanirbhar Maritime Power

  • Third Survey Vessel Large ship commissioned with 80% indigenous content
  • Navy transitions from Buyer's to Builder's Navy under self-reliance push
  • First SVL designed with dedicated women's accommodation facilities
  • Enhances India's hydrographic survey capabilities for regional cooperation
  • Indian survey ships recently assisted Mauritius and Vietnam with hydrography
  • INS Ikshak embodies motto "Fearless, Brave, and a Pathfinder" for safer seas
2 min read

INS Ikshak commissioned: Navy Chief hails 'Aatmanirbhar' maritime power, calls India steady lighthouse amid global turbulence

Indian Navy commissions INS Ikshak survey vessel with 80% indigenous content. Navy Chief Admiral Tripathi calls India a "steady lighthouse" amid global maritime challenges.

"When the global seas are rough, the world looks for a steady lighthouse -- India is poised to play that role with strength and stability. - Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi"

New Delhi, Nov 6

INS Ikshak, the third of the Survey Vessel Large (SVL) ships, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in a ceremonial event at Naval Base, Kochi on Thursday.

It was presided over by Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi.

The commissioning of INS Ikshak, the third indigenously designed and built Survey Vessel (Large), marks the Navy's 10th commissioning this year.

Calling INS Ikshak a "symbol of India's maritime confidence and technological self-reliance," the Navy Chief said the vessel underscores the Navy's transition from a Buyer's Navy to a Builder's Navy.

The ship, built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), carries nearly 80 per cent indigenous content, reflecting the success of India's self-reliance in defence production.

Amid growing geopolitical competition at sea, the Navy Chief said, "When the global seas are rough, the world looks for a steady lighthouse -- India is poised to play that role with strength and stability."

He highlighted the Navy's expanding regional outreach, noting that Indian survey ships have recently rendered hydrographic assistance to Mauritius and Vietnam and INS Sandhayak's successful deployment to Southeast Asia showcased India's maritime capability.

Emphasising the strategic importance of precise hydrographic data, he said survey ships like INS Ikshak make "the seas knowable, navigable, and safe" while enhancing regional cooperation.

Congratulating GRSE, designers, and the ship's commissioning crew, he urged them to embody Ikshak's motto -- "Nirbhay Veer Pathpradarshak (Fearless, Brave, and a Pathfinder)" -- as they chart safer seas for India and the region.

Notably, Ikshak is the first SVL designed with dedicated women's accommodation, underscoring the Navy's commitment to inclusivity and modernisation. Its induction significantly augments India's hydrographic survey capability and indigenous shipbuilding capacity.

Following the commissioning ceremony, the Navy Chief visited various sections of the ship, where he was briefed on the construction journey and the integration of indigenous systems.

He also interacted with the commissioning crew and officials from GRSE, commending their professionalism, dedication, and contribution towards the successful induction of INS Ikshak into the Indian Navy.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Love that they've designed it with dedicated women's accommodation! Great step towards gender equality in our armed forces. More power to our women sailors! 👏
R
Rohit P
The "Buyer's Navy to Builder's Navy" transition is exactly what we need. But I hope the quality matches international standards. We must ensure these indigenous ships are battle-ready and reliable.
S
Sarah B
As someone living in Kochi, it's amazing to see our naval base becoming a hub for such advanced vessels. The commissioning ceremony must have been spectacular!
V
Vikram M
Helping Mauritius and Vietnam with hydrographic assistance shows India's growing role as a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region. This is strategic diplomacy in action!
M
Michael C
The motto "Nirbhay Veer Pathpradarshak" is so inspiring! Our Navy personnel truly embody these values. Salute to their bravery and dedication to keeping our seas safe.
K
Kavya N
10th commissioning this year! That's incredible pace. GRSE and our shipbuilding industry deserve appreciation for this achievement. Make in India is really taking off in defence sector.

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