Samarthak: India’s First Indigenous Multi-Purpose Vessel Launched
On October 14, a significant event took place at the L&T Shipyard in Kattupalli, Chennai. The first of two Multi-Purpose Vessels, named ‘Samarthak’, was launched for the Indian Navy. This vessel, built by L&T, marks a milestone in India’s indigenous shipbuilding efforts.
Launch Ceremony
The launch ceremony was conducted following maritime traditions. Shashi Tripathi, President of the Navy Wives Welfare Association (NWWA), had the honor of launching the ship. The event was presided over by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff.
About Samarthak
‘Samarthak’, meaning ‘Supporter’, is designed for a multi-dimensional role. It can tow ships, launch and recover targets, operate autonomous vehicles, and serve as a trial platform for new weapons and sensors. The vessel is 106 meters long, 16.8 meters wide, and can reach speeds of up to 15 knots.
Indigenous Shipbuilding
The contract for these vessels was signed on March 25, 2022, between the Ministry of Defence and L&T Shipyard. This launch highlights the Indian Navy’s commitment to indigenous shipbuilding, aligning with the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives.
Doubts Revealed
Samarthak -: Samarthak is the name of a new ship made in India for the Indian Navy. It is special because it can do many different jobs, like towing other ships and testing new weapons.
Indigenous -: Indigenous means something that is made or created in the country itself. In this case, it means the ship was built in India using Indian resources and technology.
L&T -: L&T stands for Larsen & Toubro, which is a big company in India that builds things like ships and buildings. They made the Samarthak ship for the Indian Navy.
Indian Navy -: The Indian Navy is a part of India’s military that protects the country’s waters and helps keep the seas safe.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat -: Aatmanirbhar Bharat is a campaign started by the Indian government to make India more self-reliant by producing more goods and services within the country.
Make in India -: Make in India is an initiative by the Indian government to encourage companies to manufacture their products in India, boosting the economy and creating jobs.
Autonomous vehicles -: Autonomous vehicles are machines that can move and operate on their own without needing a person to control them. On the ship, these could be small boats or drones.
Knots -: Knots are a way to measure speed on water. One knot is about 1.85 kilometers per hour, so 15 knots means the ship can go about 27.75 kilometers per hour.