The Indian Navy marked a significant milestone on Tuesday with the launch of Samarthak, the first vessel under the two Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) project being constructed by L&T Shipyard at Kattupalli. This event highlights India’s progress in indigenous shipbuilding, aligning with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
The vessel was launched following maritime traditions, with Shashi Tripathi, President of the Navy Wives Welfare Association (NWWA), performing the honors. The ceremony was presided over by Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi. Samarthak meaning “Supporter,” reflects the versatile role envisioned for the platform.
According to a press release, the Ministry of Defence and L&T Shipyard signed the contract for two multi-purpose vessels on March 25, 2022. These vessels will serve a range of functions, including towing other ships, launching and recovering targets, operating unmanned autonomous vehicles, and testing indigenous weapons and sensors under development.
With a length of 106 meters and a width of 16.8 meters, the vessel can achieve a maximum speed of 15 knots.
The launch of Samarthak reinforces the Indian Navy’s commitment to strengthening indigenous shipbuilding capabilities. “This collaboration with a private Indian shipyard is a testament to the Navy’s strides towards self-reliance in maritime defense,” the Navy said in a statement.
(Inputs from ANI)