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{{short description|Series of four survey vessels for the Indian Navy}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use Indian English|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox ship 
| sclass = 2
|section1={{Infobox ship/image
| image = INS Sandhayak (J18) during sea trials.jpg
| image_caption = Sandhayak (J18) during sea trials
}}

|section2={{Infobox ship/class overview
| builders = *[[Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers]]
| operators = {{navy|India}}
| class_before = {{sclass|Makar|survey catamaran|4}}
| class_after =
| subclasses =
| built_range =
| in_commission_range =
| total_ships_building =
| total_ships_planned = 4
| total_ships_completed = 4
| total_ships_canceled =
| total_ships_active = 3
| total_ships_laid_up =
| total_ships_lost =
| total_ships_retired =
| total_ships_scrapped =
| total_ships_preserved =
}}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics
| hide_header =
| header_caption =
| type = [[Hydrographic survey]] ship
| displacement = {{convert|3300|t|LT|lk=on|0}}
| length = {{convert|110|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| beam = {{convert|16|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| 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
| boats = *Survey Motor Boats (SMBs)
*Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs)
| 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]] helicopter
| aircraft_facilities = [[Helipad]]
| notes =
}}
}}
The '''Sandhayak-class survey vessels''' are a series of four [[survey vessel]]s being built by [[Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers]] (GRSE), [[Kolkata]] for the [[Indian Navy]]. The first vessel was commissioned in 2021. The primary role of the vessels would be to conduct coastal and deep-water [[Hydrography|hydrographic]] survey of ports, navigational channels, [[Exclusive economic zone of India|Exclusive Economic Zones]] and collection of [[Oceanography|oceanographic]] data for defence. Their secondary role would be to perform [[search & rescue]], ocean research and function as [[hospital ship]]s for casualties.<ref name=":0">{{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><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>

== History ==
In April 2016, the Indian Navy issued a request for proposal to six shipyards, four public and two private, for the construction of four large survey vessels. In September 2017, [[Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers]] (GRSE) emerged as the lowest bidder with a bid of {{INRConvert|2435.15|c|lk=on|year=2017}}, beating [[Larsen & Toubro|L&T Shipbuilding]] by {{INRConvert|742|c|lk=off|year=2017}}. The contract for design, construction and supply of the vessels was awarded to GRSE by the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]] on 30 October 2018. The first ship is expected to be delivered within 36 months from the date of signing the contract.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.financialexpress.com/industry/rs-2500-cr-indian-navy-4-vessel-project-bagged-by-garden-reach-shipbuilders/852507/|title=Rs 2500 cr Indian Navy 4 vessel project bagged by Garden Reach Shipbuilders - The Financial Express|website=www.financialexpress.com|access-date=2018-11-26}}</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 name=":0" /><ref name=":2" /><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>

== Construction ==
The keel of the first ship ''Sandhayak,'' named after its predecessor {{INS|Sandhayak|J18|2}}, was laid down on 8 November 2019 and launched on 5 December 2021. It was expected to be commissioned by 2023, the boat was commissioned on 3 February 2024.<ref name="PIB-030224">{{cite press release |title=INS Sandhayak, first Survey Vessel Large ship, commissioned into Indian Navy in the presence of Raksha Mantri in Visakhapatnam |date=2024-02-03 |publisher=[[Press Information Bureau]] |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2002179 |access-date=2024-02-03}}</ref><ref name="sadhayak_launch">{{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=[[Press Information Bureau]] |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1778276 |access-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>

The second vessel of the class, ''Nirdeshak'' , was laid on 1 December 2020 and was subsequently launched on 26 May 2022. The ship was delivered to the Indian Navy on 8 October 2024.<ref name="PIB-081024">{{cite press release|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2063279|title=DELIVERY OF YARD 3026 (NIRDESHAK)|work=PIB|date=2024-10-08}}</ref> The ship was commissioned on 18 December 2024.<ref name=":3" />

The third ship, ''Ikshak'', was laid down on 6 August 2021 and launched on 26 November 2022.<ref name="pib-060821">{{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> The ship was handed to the Indian Navy on 14 August 2025.<ref name=":4">{{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="X-140825">{{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>

''Sanshodhak'' was delivered to the Indian Navy on 30 March 2026 along with {{INS|Dunagiri|2022|6}} and {{INS|Agray|2024|6}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2026-03-30 |title=3 ships - Dunagiri, Sanshodhak, and Agray - handed over to Navy on Monday |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/3-ships-dunagiri-sanshodhak-and-agray-handed-over-to-navy-on-monday/article70803679.ece |access-date=2026-03-31 |website=BusinessLine |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2026-03-30 |title=Navy gets three indigenous warships from GRSE, boost to self-reliance push |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/indian-navy-commissions-three-new-ships-dunagiri-sanshodhak-agray-enhancing-combat-capabilities-2889299-2026-03-30 |access-date=2026-03-31 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>

== Ships of the class ==
{| class="wikitable"
! Name
! Pennant
! Yard No
! Builder
! Laid down
! Launched
!Delivered
! Commissioned
! Home-port
! Status
|-
! colspan="10" |{{navy|India}}
|-
| {{INS|Sandhayak|2021|2}}
| J18
| 3025
| rowspan="4" |[[Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers|GRSE]]
| 8 November 2019<ref>{{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>
| 5 December 2021<ref name="sadhayak_launch"/>
|4 December 2023<ref>{{Cite press release |title=First ship of Survey Vessel (Large) Sandhayak delivered to Indian Navy |date=2023-12-04 |publisher=indiannavy.gov.in |url=https://indiannavy.gov.in/node/37913 |access-date=2023-12-04}}</ref>
| 3 February 2024<ref name="PIB-030224"/><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>
| rowspan="2" | [[Visakhapatnam]]
| rowspan="3" | Active
|-
| {{INS|Nirdeshak|2022|2}}
| J19
| 3026
| 1 December 2020<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/|access-date=2020-12-01|website=DefPost|language=en-GB|archive-date=1 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201122842/https://defpost.com/grse-lays-keel-for-second-survey-vessel-large-for-indian-navy/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| 26 May 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>
|8 October 2024<ref name="PIB-081024" />
| 18 December 2024<ref name=":3">{{Cite news |date=2024-12-18 |title=Union minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth commissions INS Nirdeshak in Visakhapatnam |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/visakhapatnam/union-minister-of-state-for-defence-sanjay-seth-commissions-ins-nirdeshak-in-visakhapatnam/articleshow/116433955.cms |access-date=2024-12-18 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>
|-
| {{INS|Ikshak|J23|2}}
| J23
| 3027
| 6 August 2021<ref name="pib-060821"/>
| 26 November 2022<ref>{{Cite press release |title=LAUNCH OF ‘IKSHAK’ THIRD SHIP OF SURVEY VESSEL (LARGE) PROJECT ON 26 NOV 22 AT L&T, KATTUPALLI |url=https://pib.gov.in/pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1879094 |access-date=2023-06-11 |work=[[Press Information Bureau]]}}</ref>
|14 August 2025<ref name=":4" />
| 6 November 2025<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |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>
| [[Kochi]]
|-
| {{INS|Sanshodhak|3=2}}
| J24
| 3028
| 17 June 2022<ref>{{Cite web |title=Keel laying ceremony of fourth ship of SVL and Second and third ships of ASW SWC |url=https://pib.gov.in/pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1834832 |access-date=2023-06-11 |website=pib.gov.in}}</ref>
| 13 June 2023<ref name="PIB-080623">{{Cite press release |title=LAUNCH OF ‘SANSHODHAK’, FOURTH SHIP OF SURVEY VESSEL (LARGE) PROJECT AT M/s L&T, KATTUPALLI ON 13 JUN 23 |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1932038 |access-date=2023-06-13 |work=[[Press Information Bureau]]}}</ref>
| 30 March 2026<ref name=":5" />
| April 2026 ''(expected)<ref name="Tonne2">{{Cite web |date=23 August 2024 |title=Indian Navy On its Way to a Million Tonne – 50 Ships Under Construction |url=https://www.overtdefense.com/2024/08/23/indian-navy-on-its-way-to-a-million-tonne-50-ships-under-construction/ |website=www.overtdefense.com}}</ref>''
|
| Delivered
|}

==Gallery==

{{Gallery
|title=
|width=160 | height=170
|File:INS Sandhayak (2021) during commissioning ceremony.jpg
|{{INS|Sandhayak|2021|2}} during commissioning ceremony.
}}

== See also ==

* [[List of active Indian Navy ships]]
* [[Future of the Indian Navy]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

{{Ship classes of the Indian Navy}}

[[Category:Survey ships of the Indian Navy]]
[[Category:Auxiliary research ship classes]]

Sandhayak-class survey vessel (2023) - Revision history

Tirucochi: new details