Khalek Rahaman at 12:26, 6 May 2026

2026-05-06T12:26:56Z

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{{italic title|string=Ikshak}}{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}}{{Use Indian English|date=May 2026}}
{{Short description|Hydrographic survey ship of India}}
{{Infobox ship
|section1={{Infobox ship/image
| image = INS Ikshak (J23) during sea trials.jpg
| image_caption = ''Ikshak'' (J23) during sea trials
}}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career
| hide_header =
| country = India
| flag = {{shipboxflag|India|naval}}
| name = ''Ikshak''
| namesake =
| ordered =
| builder = [[Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers]]
| laid_down = 6 August 2021<ref name="PIB 2021"/>
| launched = 26 November 2022
| completed =
| acquired = 14 August 2025<ref name="OfficialGRSE 2025"/>
| commissioned = 6 November 2025<ref name=":1" />
| decommissioned =
| in_service =
| out_of_service =
| struck =
| reinstated =
| yard_number = 3027
| identification = Pennant number: J23
| motto =
| fate =
| status = In active service
| badge =
}}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics
| hide_header =
| header_caption =
| class = {{sclass|Sandhayak|survey vessel|||2023}}
| displacement = {{cvt|3400|t|LT|lk=on|0}}
| length = {{convert|110|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| boats = *Survey Motor Boats (SMBs)
*Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs)
| beam =
| draft =
| propulsion =
| speed = {{convert|18|kn|lk=in}}
| range = *{{convert|6500|nmi|abbr=on|lk=in}} at {{convert|14|kn}} to {{convert|16|kn}}
| complement = 231
| armament = [[CRN 91 Naval Gun|CRN 91]] naval gun
| sensors = * [[Autonomous underwater vehicle]]s (AUVs)
* [[Remotely operated vehicle]]s (ROVs)
* [[Multi-beam echo sounder]]s
| aircraft = 1 × [[HAL Dhruv]] MK.3 Navy helicopter
| aircraft_facilities = [[Helipad]]
| notes =
}}
}}

'''INS ''Ikshak''''' ([[Hindi]]: इक्षक lit. The Guide<ref name=":0" />) is the third ship of [[Sandhayak-class survey vessel (2023)|her class]] of [[survey ship]]s. It is a [[Hydrographic survey|hydrographic]] survey ship built by [[GRSE]] for the [[Indian Navy]].<ref>{{cite press release |title=First of the four ships under Survey Vessel (Large) project for Indian Navy launched in the presence of Raksha Rajya Mantri at GRSE, Kolkata |date=2021-12-05 |publisher=PIB |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1778276}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |number=1467495738791714823 |user=indiannavy |title=Sandhayak and her three other sister ships are scheduled to be delivered between Oct 22 and Jan 24 |date=2021-12-05}}</ref>

== Design ==
The ships have a displacement of {{convert|3400|t|LT|0}} and a length of {{Convert|110|m|ftin}}. They have a cruising speed of {{Convert|16|knot|lk=in}} with a maximum speed of {{Convert|18|knot}} and an operating range of {{Convert|6500|nmi|lk=in}} at a speed of {{Convert|14|to|16|knot}}. The ships have a complement of 231 and are equipped with [[Hydrography|hydrographic]] sensor equipment and a [[hangar]] which can accommodate one advanced light helicopter. In the secondary role, the ships can be fitted with a [[CRN 91 Naval Gun|CRN 91]] naval gun. In addition, the vessels will follow MARPOL ([[marine pollution]]) Standards of the [[International Maritime Organization|International Maritime Organisation]] and will be built per Classification Society Rules and Naval Ship Regulations.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-10-30 |title=GRSE bags over Rs 2,000 crore contract to build 4 large survey vessels for Navy |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/301018/grse-bags-over-rs-2000-crore-contract-to-build-4-large-survey-vessels.html |access-date=2018-11-26 |work=Deccan Chronicle |language=en}}</ref>

The primary role of the vessels would be to conduct coastal and deep-water hydrographic survey of ports, navigational channels, Exclusive Economic Zones and collection of oceanographic data for defence. Their secondary role would be to perform [[search and rescue]], ocean research and function as [[hospital ship]]s for casualties.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MOD signs contract with GRSE for supply of four survey vessels for Indian Navy |url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=184472 |access-date=2018-11-26 |website=pib.nic.in}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian MoD orders four survey ships from GRSE |url=https://www.janes.com/article/84181/indian-mod-orders-four-survey-ships-from-grse |access-date=2018-11-26 |website=Jane's 360}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-10-30 |title=GRSE to build four survey vehicles for Indian Navy, contract inked |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/grse-to-build-four-survey-vehicles-for-indian-navy-contract-inked/articleshow/66431579.cms |access-date=2018-11-26 |work=The Economic Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=GRSE to supply vessels to Indian Navy |url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/imps-news/grse-supply-survey-vessels-indian-navy/ |access-date=2018-11-26 |website=Shephard Media |language=en}}</ref>

This is also the first of the class with dedicated accommodation for women personnel.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=2025-11-06 |title=INS Ikshak commissioned into Navy, vessel boosts hydrographic survey capabilities |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/ins-ikshak-commissioned-into-navy-vessel-boosts-hydrographic-survey-capabilities/article70248411.ece |access-date=2025-11-06 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== Construction and career ==
The [[keel]] of the ship was [[Keel laying|laid]] on 6 August 2021.<ref name="PIB 2021">{{cite web |date=2021-08-06 |title=KEEL LAYING CEREMONY FOR 1st WARSHIP OF ASW SHALLOW WATER CRAFT PROJECT AND 3rd WARSHIP OF SURVEY VESSEL LARGE PROJECT |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1743323 |publisher=PIB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-11-26 |title=GRSE launches 3rd Survey Vessel (Large) within a year |url=https://psuwatch.com/grse-launches-3rd-survey-vessel-large-within-a-year-after/ |access-date=2022-11-26 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mathew |first=Arun |title=GRSE Lays Keel for Second Survey Vessel (Large) for Indian Navy |url=https://defpost.com/grse-lays-keel-for-second-survey-vessel-large-for-indian-navy/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201122842/https://defpost.com/grse-lays-keel-for-second-survey-vessel-large-for-indian-navy/ |archive-date=1 December 2020 |access-date=2020-12-01 |website=DefPost |language=en-GB}}</ref> and [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 26 November 2022.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=LAUNCH OF ‘NIRDESHAK’ (YARD 3026) SECOND VESSEL OF SURVEY VESSEL (LARGE) PROJECT |url=https://pib.gov.in/pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1828505 |access-date=2023-06-11 |work=[[Press Information Bureau]]}}</ref>

The ship was expected to be commissioned in March 2025. It was handed over to the Indian Navy on 14 August 2025.<ref>{{cite press release |title=Delivery of Yard 3027 (Ikshak) |date=2025-08-14 |publisher=[[Press Information Bureau]] |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2156465 |access-date=2025-08-15}}</ref><ref name="OfficialGRSE 2025">{{cite tweet|url=https://x.com/OfficialGRSE/status/1955915555678118306|title=Proud Moment for GRSE Ahead of Independence Day: Hands Over its 113th Warship Survey Vessel (Large) ‘Ikshak’ to Indian Navy|number=1955915555678118306|user=OfficialGRSE|date=2025-08-14}}</ref>

The ship was commissioned on 6 November 2025 at the [[INS Venduruthy|Naval Base Kochi]] by the [[Chief of the Naval Staff (India)|Navy chief]], [[Admiral (India)|Admiral]] [[Dinesh K Tripathi]] with [[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] Tribhuvan Singh as the commissioning [[commanding officer]].<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharma |first=Shivani |date=2025-11-06 |title=INS Ikshak commissioned in Kochi, boosts Navy’s disaster-response capability |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ins-ikshak-commissioned-in-kochi-boosts-navy-hydrographic-disaster-response-capability-2814974-2025-11-06 |access-date=2025-11-06 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite press release |title=Indian Navy set to commission ‘Ikshak’, the third Survey Vessel (Large) |date=2025-10-27 |publisher=Press Information Bureau |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2183000 |access-date=2025-10-28}}</ref> She participated at the [[International Fleet Review 2026]] held at [[Visakhapatnam]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |title=IFR & MILAN 2026 |url=https://www.ifrmilan26.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260219124733/https://www.ifrmilan26.com/ |archive-date=2026-02-19 |access-date=2026-02-18 |website=IFR & MILAN 2026 |language=en}}</ref> Following her participation she was involved in [[search and rescue]] efforts for the crew of [[IRIS Dena]], an Iranian Frigate [[Sinking of IRIS Dena|sunk]] during the [[2026 Iran war]] off the coast of [[Sri Lanka]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Raj Kaul |first=Aditya |date=5 March 2026 |title=India Sent Vessel to Help sinking Iranian Warship near Sri Lanka:Navy |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/iris-dena-sri-lanka-india-responded-to-distress-call-of-iran-ship-sent-vessel-to-help-navy-11173405 |url-status=live |access-date=5 March 2026 |website=NDTV}}</ref>

==Gallery==
{{Gallery
|title=
|width=160 | height=170
|File:Launch of INS Ikshak, third ship of the SVL project, at Kattupalli, Chennai - 6.jpg
|Launch of INS Ikshak, third ship of the SVL project, at Kattupalli, Chennai.
|File:INS Ikshak (J23) at sea.jpg
|Ikshak (J23) at sea
}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ikshak}}
[[Category:2022 ships]]
[[Category:Sandhayak-class survey ships]]
[[Category:Ships built in Kolkata]]

INS Ikshak - Revision history

Khalek Rahaman at 12:26, 6 May 2026