INS Sagardhwani (A74)

Why in News?

INS Sagardhwani was flagged off for the fifth edition of the Sagar Maitri mission (SM-5) from Kochi.

• INS Sagardhwani is an Indian oceanographic research vessel engaged in scientific ocean research and international collaboration missions.
• Builder - Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).
• Operated by – Indian Navy.
• Commissioned in – 1994.
• Owned by –Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Kochi.
  • NPOL functions under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Type - Marine Acoustic Research Ship (MARS).
• Features
  • Laboratories – 8 acoustically isolated labs for various research parameters.
  • Aviation - A helicopter landing pad for a HAL Chetak.
  • Equipment- Cranes and a gantry for deploying research gear, specialized machinery for low noise/vibration.
• Key Missions & Role – INS Sagardhwani conducts oceanographic missions under the Sagar Maitri programme.

Sagar Maitri is an initiative of the Indian Navy and DRDO aims to strengthen scientific cooperation and capacity building among Indian Ocean Rim (IOR) countries.

• INS Sagardhwani to retrace the historic routes of INS Kistna.
  • INS Kistna was a part of the International Indian Ocean Expedition (1962–65).
• INS Sagardhwani serves as the centrepiece of DRDO’s efforts for Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) for the Indian Navy.

References

1. PIB | INS Sagardhwani (A74)
2. ET | INS Sagardhwani (A74)
3. New Indian Express | INS Sagardhwani (A74)