INS Samarthak commissioned at Naval Base Karwar on Friday became the Indian Navy's first Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) in service, and the first major warship built by an Indian private shipyard to join the fleet.

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan presided over the ceremony. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan was present, along with Karnataka's Minister for Labour and Employment, senior naval officers, Ministry of Defence officials, and representatives of Larsen and Toubro (L&T) and the equipment makers whose indigenous systems are fitted on board.

L&T designed and built the ship at its Kattupalli shipyard near Chennai.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the ship carries more than 75 percent indigenous content. It was put together using extensive modular construction and pre-outfitting, methods the ministry said cut down the build process and construction timelines. The project also generated jobs and built up industrial capability, with the money spent ploughed back into the Indian economy, the ministry added.

INS Samarthak commissioned as lead ship of four MPVs

Samarthak is the first of four MPVs being inducted into the Navy, the ministry said in a statement earlier this week ahead of the ceremony. It described the vessel as an ideal utility ship for strategically important operations.

The ship was launched at Kattupalli in October 2024 with Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, then Chief of the Naval Staff, presiding, L&T said at the time. Samarthak was delivered to the Navy on 27 August, a little under two months before Friday's ceremony.

Samarthak to test new indigenous sensors and weapons

Trials and evaluation are the ship's main job. Its induction strengthens the Navy's ability to test and train on new sensors and weapons developed by domestic industry, according to the Indian Navy.

The name Samarthak means The Proponent, and the ship is meant as a dependable enabler across several kinds of missions. It can take on maritime surveillance and reconnaissance, offshore patrolling, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations as required. The ministry has also listed low intensity maritime operations, target deployment and salvage work among its roles, along with conversion to a limited hospital ship when needed.

Ship can serve as a mothership for unmanned systems

Samarthak is configured to act as a mothership for unmanned and autonomous systems, the ministry said this week. Its integrated combat suite brings together indigenous sensors, weapons and electronic systems suited to demanding sea conditions.

The Navy said the ship's versatility is an advantage at sea, given the rise of non-traditional maritime threats.

Vice President backs indigenously built naval platforms

Addressing the gathering, the Vice President spoke on the strategic value of indigenously built naval platforms in strengthening the country's maritime capabilities. Such ships, he said, widen the range of operational and testing missions the Navy can take on.

According to the Navy, the commissioning supports maritime security, regional stability and cooperative engagement across the Indian Ocean Region. It also advances the drive for a self-reliant and resilient domestic defence industrial base under Aatmanirbhar Bharat, with the Navy and Indian shipbuilders working more closely than before.

Samarthak is the second Navy commissioning this week

With INS Samarthak commissioned on Friday, the Navy has inducted two ships this week. INS Mangrol was commissioned at Naval Dockyard Mumbai on Monday. Karwar itself hosted the commissioning of INS Malvan, a Mahe class anti-submarine shallow water craft, in July.

INS Samarthak crest carries an elephant rising from the waves

The crest of INS Samarthak shows an Indian elephant emerging from the waves, for strength, intelligence and agility. Its motto is Vijayartham Eknishthata, meaning Victory is Our Sole Aim.