INS Sagardhwani, India’s oceanographic research vessel, has been flagged off for the fifth edition of the Sagar Maitri initiative from the Southern Naval Command in Kochi. The mission is part of a wider Indian Navy-DRDO collaboration aimed at strengthening scientific ties with Indian Ocean Rim countries and supporting maritime research, capacity building and regional cooperation.
Sagar Maitri Initiative
Sagar Maitri is a flagship programme of the Indian Navy and the Defence Research and Development Organisation. It aligns with India’s MAHASAGAR vision, which focuses on Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. The initiative promotes socio-economic engagement and scientific cooperation among Indian Ocean Rim nations.
Mission Objectives
The current voyage of INS Sagardhwani will support collaborative oceanographic studies, beginning with the Maldives. The mission seeks to build long-term partnerships in ocean research and development with eight IOR countries:
- Oman
- Maldives
- Sri Lanka
- Thailand
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- Indonesia
- Myanmar
The vessel will collect oceanographic and acoustic data along designated tracks to support scientific and maritime security objectives.
MAITRI Scientific Component
DRDO has also launched MAITRI, the Marine & Allied Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative, under this framework. The programme is designed to create sustained research links with regional partners and improve scientific exchange in marine studies. It also supports capacity building through joint fieldwork and professional interaction.
INS Sagardhwani and Strategic Value
INS Sagardhwani is a specialised marine acoustic research vessel commissioned in July 1994. It was designed by the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers. The ship has played an important role in ocean observation, underwater domain awareness and marine research. The mission also retraces the historic route of INS Kistna, which took part in the International Indian Ocean Expedition between 1962 and 1965.
Last Modified: April 27, 2026