Navy receives Samarthak, first indigenous multi-purpose vessel
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On 27 August 2026 Larsen & Toubro’s Kattupalli yard delivered Samarthak, the first Multi-Purpose Vessel of the Indian Navy. The ship has over 75 per cent indigenous content. It is meant as a trial and evaluation platform, and can also do maritime surveillance, offshore patrol and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
- Date
- 27 Aug 2026
- Ship
- Samarthak, first Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV)
- Builder
- Larsen & Toubro, Kattupalli
- Indigenous content
- over 75%
- Name means
- “The Proponent”
- Roles
- trials, surveillance, offshore patrol, HADR
Samarthak, the Navy’s first Multi-Purpose Vessel: what happened?
A navy tests new weapons and sensors before fitting them on warships. Samarthak gives the Navy a ship built for that job, and it can switch to patrol or relief work when needed. That it came from a private Indian yard is the larger story.
- L&T, Kattupalli, delivered Samarthak, the Navy’s first Multi-Purpose Vessel, with over 75% indigenous content [PIB].
- Roles: trials platform, surveillance, offshore patrol, HADR [PIB].
What can Samarthak do?
- Act as a versatile trial and evaluation platform.
- Carry out maritime surveillance and reconnaissance.
- Do offshore patrolling.
- Support Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations when required.
Why the name?
- Samarthak means “The Proponent”: a dependable enabler of many missions.
- It is not tied to one task, which is the idea of a multi-purpose vessel.
Why does Samarthak, the Navy’s first Multi-Purpose Vessel matter?
- Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Over 75 per cent indigenous content.
- Industry: A private shipyard delivering a naval vessel widens India’s shipbuilding base.
What can Prelims ask on Samarthak, the Navy’s first Multi-Purpose Vessel?
- Samarthak: Indian Navy’s first Multi-Purpose Vessel; built by L&T, Kattupalli; delivered 27 Aug 2026.
- Indigenous content: over 75%.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB (2026-08-27): L&T, Kattupalli, delivered Samarthak, the Navy's first Multi-Purpose Vessel, with over 75% indigenous content.
- An Indian private yard building a naval vessel shows how indigenisation is widening.
Quotable data pointL&T, Kattupalli, delivered Samarthak, the Navy's first Multi-Purpose Vessel, with over 75% indigenous content.
PIB: Defence: delivery of Samarthak, 27 Aug 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: ships in news.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
Samarthak, delivered to the Indian Navy in August 2026, is a
Answer (b) & explanation
PIB (Defence), 27 Aug 2026.
Questions students ask about this
What is Samarthak?
The Indian Navy's first Multi-Purpose Vessel, delivered on 27 August 2026.
Who built Samarthak?
Larsen & Toubro at its Kattupalli yard.
What does the name Samarthak mean?
"The Proponent", pointing to its role as an enabler of many missions.
Keep studying
Official source: PIB: Defence: delivery of Samarthak, 27 Aug 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending