INS Nirdeshak and India’s maritime vision: Nation-building through shipbuilding

INS Nirdeshak, the second ship in the Survey Vessel Large series, is set to be commissioned on 18 December 2024.

Visakhapatnam: On the shores of Visakhapatnam, a new chapter in India’s maritime history is about to unfold. INS Nirdeshak, the second ship in the Survey Vessel Large (SVL) series, is set to be commissioned on 18 December 2024 here.

The speciality of this 3,400-ton hydrographic vessel built at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata is how it shows India’s growing prowess in indigenous shipbuilding and its link to nation building.

 INS NIRDESHAK: MODERN CARTOGRAPHER OF THE SEAS

At 110 meters long with a beam of 16 meters, INS Nirdeshak is a formidable presence. Its streamlined hull and dual diesel engines allow it to glide through waters at speeds exceeding 18 knots.

Yet, its power lies not in brute force but in precision.

Equipped with advanced hydrographic equipment, satellite-based positioning systems, and terrestrial survey tools, INS Nirdeshak is a cartographer of the deep. Its primary mission is to chart safe passageways across India’s vast maritime zones— mapping ports, harbours, coastal areas, and even the high seas. This data will ensure safer navigation for commercial and naval ships alike.

Its secondary role allows it to engage in a range of naval operations, offering flexibility to support missions that demand speed, intelligence, and technical expertise.

 BUILDING A LEGACY: SHIP BY SHIP

From its keel-laying in December 2020 to its launch in May 2022, the ship has undergone rigorous testing at sea and in harbour. Its significance, though, goes far beyond its steel frame and state-of-the-art equipment.

This ship, like the rest of the SVL series, is a product of India’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” vision. Over 80% of its components are sourced from Indian manufacturers— public and private, large and small. The shipyard partnered with more than 100 MSMEs. The steel used in construction, the DMR 249A, is Indian-made.

In fact, 63 of the Navy’s 64 ships currently under construction are being built in Indian shipyards. Each vessel is a building block in a larger narrative: a maritime force crafted by the hands of its own people.

 NATION-BUILDING THROUGH SHIPBUILDING

Warship construction, with its inherent complexities, employs thousands of skilled workers annually, both directly in shipyards and indirectly across ancillary industries.

INS Nirdeshak alone has supported 1,600 workers annually at GRSE and nearly 10,000 personnel per year through outsourced work. This workforce is a pipeline of jobs as well as a reservoir of expertise in advanced shipbuilding techniques.

The SVL project is clearly as much about economic and technological transformation as defence.

Such projects strengthen India’s industrial ecosystem, fostering innovation, enhancing infrastructure, and creating export potential for Indian-built ships. They also drive the nation toward strategic autonomy.

 A VISION FOR 2047

The Indian Navy has declared its intention to become a “Fully Aatmanirbhar Force” by 2047. INS Nirdeshak’s commissioning is a stepping stone toward that goal.

In Visakhapatnam, when it is commissioned, INS Nirdeshak will serve as a reminder: nation-building is not just about defending borders; it is about crafting a future where innovation meets sovereignty, one ship at a time.

 Ashish Singh is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in defence, foreign affairs, and political reporting.