The ceremony, to be held at the Naval Base, Kochi, will be presided over by Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff. Constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd., Kolkata, Ikshak stands as a testament to India’s advancing shipbuilding prowess and its commitment to the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
With over 80 percent indigenous content, the vessel represents a successful collaboration between GRSE and India’s network of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The name ‘Ikshak’, derived from the Sanskrit word for ‘Guide’, aptly reflects the ship’s primary role — to serve as a beacon of precision, purpose, and self-reliance on India’s maritime horizon. Designed to conduct comprehensive coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys of ports, harbours, and navigational channels, Ikshak will generate critical data that will contribute to safer navigation and enhanced maritime domain awareness.
The vessel is equipped with state-of-the-art hydrographic and oceanographic systems, including a high-resolution multi-beam echo sounder, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV), and four Survey Motor Boats (SMBs). A helicopter deck further extends its operational flexibility, enabling the execution of multi-domain missions across vast maritime areas