Samarthak, Indian Navy’s First Multi-Purpose Vessel

Samarthak, the Indian Navy’s first Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV), was delivered on 27 August 2026 by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) at its Kattupalli shipyard in Tamil Nadu. With over 75% indigenous content, the vessel is designed primarily for the trial and evaluation of naval systems, while also supporting surveillance, offshore patrolling and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. 

About Samarthak

• Samarthak is the Indian Navy’s first Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV), built by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) at its Kattupalli shipyard in Tamil Nadu. 
• It is the first of two MPVs being built by L&T under a ₹887 crore contract signed with the Ministry of Defence in March 2022 under the Buy (Indian) category.
• The vessel was launched in October 2024 and delivered to the Indian Navy on 27 August 2026.
• With over 75% indigenous content, Samarthak reflects the growing role of Indian industry in specialised naval shipbuilding.
• The name Samarthak, meaning “The Proponent”, signifies its role as an enabler of multiple naval missions.

Samarthak Role and Capabilities

Unlike a conventional vessel built for a single purpose, Samarthak has been designed as a flexible platform that can be used for both naval trials and operational support.

• Trial and evaluation: Its primary role is to test and evaluate naval weapons, sensors and other systems before their wider operational use.
• Maritime surveillance and reconnaissance: It can support monitoring and information-gathering activities at sea.
• Offshore patrolling: It can undertake maritime security and surveillance duties.
• Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR): It can support relief and rescue operations during natural disasters and other emergencies.
• Unmanned systems: The vessel can support the operation of certain unmanned aerial and surface systems, expanding its utility in modern naval operations.

This combination of roles gives the Navy greater flexibility to use a single platform for different requirements, while also providing a dedicated platform for testing emerging naval technologies.

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Significance for India

The importance of Samarthak extends beyond its operational role because it links naval capability with defence indigenisation.

• Aatmanirbhar Bharat: More than 75% indigenous content demonstrates India’s growing ability to build specialised naval platforms domestically.
• Defence technology development: Its trial and evaluation role can facilitate the testing of indigenous weapons, sensors and naval systems.
• Private-sector participation: Construction by L&T highlights the increasing role of Indian private shipyards in naval modernisation.
• Maritime security: Surveillance and patrolling capabilities can strengthen India’s ability to monitor its maritime domain.
• HADR and regional outreach: Its support for disaster-relief operations adds to India’s ability to respond to emergencies in the Indian Ocean Region.
• Defence-industrial ecosystem: Such projects create demand for domestic shipbuilding, engineering, electronics and other defence-related industries.