Advanced AUV and Survey Boats: Navy commissions INS Ikshak, marks a new era in deep-sea mapping

Kochi: At the rear of the Indian Navy’s newly commissioned INS Ikshak rests a striking, five-metre-long orange capsule, which is sleek, cylindrical, and packed with advanced sensors and high-resolution cameras. It may appear still for now, but once deployed into the waters, this Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) will map the seabed, trace shipwrecks, and uncover the ocean’s hidden geography. Designed for unmanned hydrographic surveys in waters too deep or hazardous for human divers, the AUV stands as a symbol of the Navy’s growing technological sophistication and India’s expanding prowess in ocean mapping. 

Commissioned on Thursday by Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, at the Southern Naval Command (SNC) in Kochi, INS Ikshak is the third of the Survey Vessel (Large) class and the most technologically refined of the lot. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, Ikshak embodies precision, self-reliance, and purpose by being a floating laboratory equipped to chart both coastal and deep-water terrain.

Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, SNC, senior naval officers, naval veterans, and representatives of GRSE were also present at the commissioning ceremony.

At the heart of Ikshak’s operations is its Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, designed for unmanned hydrographic missions at depths unreachable by divers or the ship’s hull-mounted sensors. Operating independently for nearly 24 hours, the AUV can perform multi-beam soundings, side-scan sonar imaging, and sub-bottom profiling and build detailed 3D models of the seafloor. 

“It can go where humans cannot. The AUV’s data helps create the base layers for navigational charts, ensuring the safety of vessels navigating India’s ports and channels,” said Lt Commander Avishek Yadav, Senior Hydrographic Surveyor.

Besides the AUV, the ship also has four Survey Motor Boats (SMBs), each fitted with compact sonar suites. These boats extend the ship’s reach into shallow or restricted waters, where the mother vessel cannot operate. Together, the AUV and SMBs make Ikshak capable of surveying everything from deep-sea trenches to narrow harbour channels.

True to its Sanskrit name, ‘Ikshak’, which means ‘Guide’, the ship is designed to lead the Navy’s next generation of hydrographic missions. Spanning 110 metres in length and displacing 3,400 tonnes, it can achieve speeds up to 18 knots. Nearly 80 per cent of the ship’s components are indigenously built, a testament to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in naval shipbuilding.

Beyond traditional hydrographic surveys, Ikshak’s technology suite makes it a versatile asset. The ship’s multi-beam echo sounder, digital side-scan sonar, remotely operated vehicle (ROV), and AUV together create a comprehensive underwater sensing network. 

Data collected from these systems is processed onboard using the Data Acquisition and Processing System (DAPS), which can render detailed bathymetric maps in real time. These are then verified and archived by the National Hydrographic Office, Dehradun, for use in national and international nautical charts. 

Manned by 231 personnel, including 20 officers and 211 sailors, Ikshak is also the first Indian survey vessel with fully equipped facilities for women, featuring separate cabins and washrooms for up to 30 women officers and sailors.

The ship is also fitted with a helicopter deck, extending its operational reach and enabling multi-domain missions. “It can accommodate one helicopter. Another highlight of the ship is that it has solar panels that can produce 20 kW of power. We can store the power generated and use it during night times” said Commodore Tribhuvan Singh, the commanding officer of INS Ikshak.

While primarily a survey ship, INS Ikshak can swiftly transition into a Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) platform. The ship houses a six-bed hospital with an operating theatre, X-ray, lab, and ventilator facilities, which can be expanded into a 40-bed floating hospital during emergencies.

“During crises like maritime accidents, the ship can operate as a medical base or a hospital ship providing relief support directly from the sea,” said Surgeon Commander Atul N Gopinath, the ship’s Principal Medical Officer.

The hydrographic charts produced by ships like Ikshak are not just essential for safe navigation, but they also contribute to national revenue. Every vessel, Indian or foreign, operating in Indian waters must use these certified charts.

“Without hydrographical charts, ships cannot navigate safely through our waters. They must purchase authenticated charts prepared by survey vessels like Ikshak, a process that also generates income for the government,” said Commander Atul Pillai, Defence PRO, Kerala. 

After commissioning, INS Ikshak joins her sister ships INS Sandhayak and INS Nirdeshak in strengthening India’s hydrographic fleet. Together, they map over two million square kilometres of maritime area, supporting defence operations, marine research, and economic development.