About INS Nirdeshak:
- INS Nirdeshak is the second ship under the Survey Vessel (Large) Project of the Indian Navy.
- It is designed to conduct hydrographic surveys, assist in navigation, and support maritime operations.
- It is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
- It reflects India’s commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) with over 80% indigenous content.
- Legacy: INS Nirdeshak represents the reincarnation of the erstwhile INS Nirdeshak, which served the Indian Navy for 32 years with distinction until its decommissioning on December 19, 2014.
- The name ‘Nirdeshak’, meaning ‘Pathfinder’, signifies its role in charting the seas with precision.
Key Specifications:
- Displacement: Approx. 3400–3800 tons.
- Length: 110 meters.
- Speed: Capable of achieving speeds exceeding 18 knots.
- Endurance: Can remain at sea for over 25 days.
- Propulsion:
- It is driven by two marine diesel engines.
- It is equipped with fixed-pitch propellers.
- Construction Technology:
- Built using ‘Integrated Construction’ technology.
- Adheres to standards of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
- State-of-the-Art Equipment: INS Nirdeshak is equipped with advanced hydrographic and oceanographic survey systems to conduct precise underwater mapping:
- Hydrographic Data Acquisition and Processing Systems.
- Advanced Satellite-Based Navigation and Communication Systems.
- Sub-surface Sensors for detailed underwater terrain charting.
- Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs).
- These technologies enable high-accuracy hydrographic surveys, making the vessel a key asset for the Navy.
Q1. What is INS Vikrant?
It is India’s first indigenously designed and manufactured aircraft carrier and has been designed in-house by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by M/s Cochin Shipyard Limited.
Last updated on August, 2026
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