L&T Precision Engineering & Systems has delivered INS Samarthak, the first-of-class multi-purpose vessel built for the Indian Navy, marking an important step in strengthening India’s indigenous defence and shipbuilding capabilities.The vessel was delivered from L&T’s Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai in the presence of senior officials from the Indian Navy and L&T.
INS Samarthak has been designed, engineered and built entirely in-house by L&T at its Warship Design Centre and Shipyard in Kattupalli. The vessel has more than 75% indigenous content and supports the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The multi-purpose vessel is a specialised platform designed to support testing and trials for future Indian Navy combat capabilities. The name Samarthak means supporter and reflects the wide range of roles planned for the vessel.
Apart from its role as a test and trials platform, INS Samarthak will support several naval operations. These include maritime surveillance, patrolling, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and environmental protection. The vessel has been designed to handle complex operations at sea. It is equipped with a Dynamic Positioning System that provides precision control during marine manoeuvres.The delivery highlights L&T’s growing role in India’s defence manufacturing and its long-standing partnership with the Indian Navy. The company has developed capabilities to design and build complex naval platforms within India.
Commenting on the occasion, A T Ramchandani, Senior Vice President and Head of L&T Precision Engineering & Systems, said the delivery was an important moment for the company and demonstrated its capability to build specialised vessels for the Indian Navy. He said the first-of-its-kind vessel reflects L&T’s shipbuilding capabilities and its commitment to supporting India’s national security requirements through indigenous engineering and manufacturing.
L&T’s Kattupalli Shipyard is one of India’s advanced integrated facilities for shipbuilding and ship repair. The shipyard has infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities to undertake the construction of complex defence and commercial vessels. The facility is currently building the second multi-purpose vessel for the Indian Navy. It is also constructing three Cadet Training Ships.
The delivery of INS Samarthak adds another important platform to India’s naval capabilities and underlines the growing contribution of Indian private industry to defence production. With a high level of indigenous content and specialised operational capabilities, the vessel represents another step towards building stronger domestic capabilities in naval design, engineering and shipbuilding. The project also supports the larger goal of reducing dependence on overseas suppliers for advanced defence platforms while strengthening India’s ability to develop and manufacture complex military equipment within the country.
