L&T Shipyard marked a significant milestone for the Indian Navy with the launch of the first ship in the Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV) project. The ceremony took place on October 14 at the Kattupalli facility, where Shashi Tripathi, President of the Navy Welfare and Wellness Association (NWWA), performed the traditional launch, accompanied by Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff.
The vessel, named ‘Samarthak,’ translates to ‘Supporter,’ reflecting its versatile operational capabilities. Designed to fulfil a multi-dimensional role, the MPV will serve various functions, including towing ships, launching and recovering targets, operating uncrewed autonomous vehicles, and serving as a trial platform for indigenous weapons and sensors currently in development.
The contract for the construction of two multi-Purpose Vessels was signed between the Ministry of Defence and L&T Shipyard on March 25, 2022. Each vessel is 106 meters long and 16.8 meters wide, with a maximum speed of 15 knots.
This launch underscores the Indian Navy’s commitment to advancing indigenous shipbuilding and aligns with the Government of India’s initiatives for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-Reliant India) and ‘Make in India.’ The collaboration with a private shipyard exemplifies the Navy’s dedication to enhancing its operational capabilities while fostering domestic manufacturing.
