INS Sagardhwani Embarks on Sagar Maitri Mission V for Indian Ocean Research
KOCHI, Jan 18, 2026 — INS Sagardhwani, the premier oceanographic research vessel of the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) under DRDO, officially commenced the fifth edition of the Sagar Maitri (SM-5) initiative from the Southern Naval Command in Kochi on January 17, 2026. The flagging-off ceremony was led by Radha Mohan Singh, Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, alongside Samir V Kamat, Chairman DRDO, and high-ranking officials from the Indian Navy and the Department of Defence R&D. This mission aligns with the national vision of MAHASAGAR (Security and Growth Across Regions), focusing on socio-economic cooperation and advanced scientific interaction among Indian Ocean Rim (IOR) countries.
The Sagar Maitri program, spearheaded by NPOL, serves as a bridge for capacity building and long-term collaboration in ocean research through its scientific component, the Marine & Allied Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative (MAITRI). During this specific mission, INS Sagardhwani will retrace the historic 1962–65 routes of INS Kistna to strengthen ties with eight key IOR nations: Oman, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Myanmar. A primary focus of the SM-5 mission is the initiation of collaborative oceanographic studies with the Maldives, facilitating professional exchanges and joint data collection between regional scientists.
Beyond international diplomacy, the mission is a cornerstone of DRDO’s strategy to enhance Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) for the Indian Navy. As INS Sagardhwani traverses designated observational tracks, it will gather critical oceanographic and acoustic data essential for maritime security and environmental understanding. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers and commissioned in 1994, the specialized vessel remains India’s primary platform for marine acoustic research, continuing its three-decade legacy of advancing the nation’s maritime scientific capabilities.