Gurupratap Rajan at 12:28, 6 May 2026

2026-05-06T12:28:00Z

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{{Short description|Hydrographic survey ship}}
{{other ships|INS Sandhayak}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2021}}{{italic title|string=Sandhayak}}
{{Infobox ship
|section1={{Infobox ship/image
| image = INS Sandhayak (J18) during sea trials.jpg
| image_caption = ''Sandhayak'' during sea trials
}}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career
| hide_header =
| country = India
| flag = {{shipboxflag|India|naval}}
| name = Sandhayak
| namesake = {{INS|Sandhayak|J18|2}}
| ordered = 30 October 2018<ref name="sandhayak-class_order" />
| builder = [[Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers]]
| laid_down = 8 November 2019<ref name="sandhayak_keel" />
| launched = 5 December 2021<ref name="sadhayak_launch"/>
| completed =
| acquired = 4 December 2023<ref name="PIB-041223"/>
| commissioned = 3 February 2024<ref name="TH-010224">{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/ins-sandhayak-to-be-commissioned-on-february-3/article67796667.ece|title=INS Sandhayak to be commissioned at Visakhapatnam on February 3|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=2024-02-01}}</ref>
| decommissioned =
| in_service =
| out_of_service =
| struck =
| reinstated =
| yard_number = 3025
| identification = [[Pennant number]]: J18
| motto =
| fate =
| status = Active
| badge =
}}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics
| hide_header =
| header_caption =
| class = {{sclass|Sandhayak|survey vessel|||2023}}
| displacement = {{convert|3300|t|LT|lk=on|0}}
| length = {{convert|110|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| beam =
| draft =
| propulsion =
| speed = {{convert|18|kn|lk=in}}
| boats = *Survey Motor Boats (SMBs)
*Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs)
| 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 Vehicles (AUVs)
*Remote Operated Vehicles (ROVs)
*Multi Beam Echo Sounders
| aircraft = 1 × [[HAL Dhruv]]
| aircraft_facilities = [[Helipad]]
| notes =
}}
}}
'''INS ''Sandhayak''''' ([[Hindi]]: संधायक lit. coordinator) is the lead ship of [[Sandhayak-class survey vessel (2023)|her class]] of survey ships. It is a [[hydrographic survey|hydrographic survey ship]] built by [[Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers]] (GRSE) for the [[Indian Navy]].<ref name="sadhayak_launch">{{cite press release|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1778276|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|publisher=PIB|date=2021-12-05}}</ref><ref name="3025_launch">{{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|3300|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|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/301018/grse-bags-over-rs-2000-crore-contract-to-build-4-large-survey-vessels.html|title=GRSE bags over Rs 2,000 crore contract to build 4 large survey vessels for Navy|date=2018-10-30|work=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=2018-11-26|language=en}}</ref>

The primary role of the vessels would be to conduct coastal and deep-water hydro-graphic survey of ports, navigational channels, Exclusive Economic Zones and collection of oceanographic data for defence. Their secondary role would be to perform search & rescue, ocean research and function as hospital ships for casualties.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=184472|title=MOD signs contract with GRSE for supply of four survey vessels for Indian Navy|website=pib.nic.in|access-date=2018-11-26}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.janes.com/article/84181/indian-mod-orders-four-survey-ships-from-grse|title=Indian MoD orders four survey ships from GRSE {{!}} Jane's 360|website=www.janes.com|access-date=2018-11-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/grse-to-build-four-survey-vehicles-for-indian-navy-contract-inked/articleshow/66431579.cms|title=GRSE to build four survey vehicles for Indian Navy, contract inked|date=2018-10-30|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2018-11-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/imps-news/grse-supply-survey-vessels-indian-navy/|title=GRSE to supply vessels to Indian Navy - NWI - Naval Warfare - Shephard Media|website=www.shephardmedia.com|language=en|access-date=2018-11-26}}</ref>

== Construction ==
The class of the survey vessel were ordered on 30 October 2018 by the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]] to the [[GRSE]] for its design, construction and delivery to the [[Indian Navy]].<ref name="sandhayak-class_order">{{Cite press release |title=MOD signs contract with GRSE for supply of four survey vessels for Indian Navy |date=2018-10-30 |publisher=[[Press Information Bureau]] |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2146022 |access-date=2025-07-19 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250719120053/https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1551240 |archive-date=2025-07-19}}</ref> The keel of the ship was laid on 8 November 2019<ref name="sandhayak_keel">{{cite tweet|user=OfficialGRSE|number=1192733198821675010|title=Vice Admiral Ajay Kumar Saxena, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition delivering his speech on the Keel Laying Ceremony of First Survey Vessel Large won on competitive bidding by GRSE|date=2019-11-08}}</ref> and launched on 5 December 2021.<ref name="sadhayak_launch"/> She is the lead ship of her [[GRSE-class survey vessel|class]].

The ship was delivered on the eve of [[Navy Day (India)|Navy Day]] celebration on 4 December 2023.<ref name="PIB-041223">{{cite press release|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1982348|title=FIRST SHIP OF SURVEY VESSEL (LARGE) SANDHAYAK DELIVERED TO INDIAN NAVY|publisher=PIB|date=2023-12-04}}</ref> The ship was commissioned on 3 February 2024 in [[Visakhapatnam]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Devalla |first=Rani |date=2024-02-03 |title=Defence Minister commissions INS Sandhayak at Naval Dockyard |url=https://www.thehansindia.com/news/cities/visakhapatnam/defence-minister-commissions-ins-sandhayak-at-naval-dockyard-856162 |access-date=2024-02-03 |website=www.thehansindia.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-02-03 |title=INS Sandhayak, Indian Navy's First Survey Vessel, Joins Naval Force {{!}} All You Need to Know |url=https://www.news18.com/india/indian-navy-first-survey-vessel-ins-sandhayak-commissioned-rajnath-singh-all-you-need-to-know-8765118.html |access-date=2024-02-03 |website=News18 |language=en}}</ref>

== Service history ==
On 19 July 2025, ''Sandhayak'' made her maiden port call at [[Port Klang]], [[Malaysia]] following a hydrographic operation from 16–19 July.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=INS Sandhayak, the first indigenous Survey Vessel Large (SVL), visits Port Klang, Malaysia |date=2025-07-19 |publisher=[[Press Information Bureau]] |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2146022 |access-date=2025-07-19}}</ref> On 9 August, [[National Day (Singapore)|Singapore's National Day]], the ship called at [[Changi Naval Base]] for a three-day visit.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=INS Sandhayak in Changi Naval Base, Singapore |date=2025-08-09 |publisher=[[Press Information Bureau]] |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2154707 |access-date=2025-08-10}}</ref> The ship departed Singapore on 12 August and is being commanded by Commanding Officer [[Captain (Indian Navy)|Captain]] N Dheeraj.<ref>{{Cite press release |title=INS Sandhayak completes maiden port call at Singapore |date=2025-08-14 |publisher=[[Press Information Bureau]] |url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2156394 |access-date=2025-08-14}}</ref> She participated at the [[International Fleet Review 2026]] held at [[Visakhapatnam|Visakapatanam]].<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>

==Gallery==
{{Gallery
|title=
|width=160 | height=170
|File:Sandhayak (J18) during its launch ceremony.jpg
|Sandhayak during its launch ceremony.
| File:INS Sandhayak (2021) during commissioning ceremony.jpg
|Sandhayak (2021) during commissioning ceremony
}}

==See also==
*[[Sandhayak-class survey vessel (2023)]] - class of survey ship

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sandhayak (2021)}}
[[Category:Ships built in Kolkata]]
[[Category:2021 ships]]

INS Sandhayak 2021 - Revision history

Gurupratap Rajan at 12:28, 6 May 2026