DRDO’s oceanographic research vessel ‘INS Sagardhwani’ embarks on Sagar Maitri Mission-4

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Last Updated17/10/2023

Recently, INS Sagardhwani embarked on a two-month long Sagar Maitri (SM) Mission-4 from Kochi.

An oceanographic research vessel launched in July 1994.
It has been designed and developed by the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Kochi.
- The NPOL is involved in studying the ocean environment and other related fields.
- It is a premier systems laboratory of the DRDO.
It is constructed indigenously by GRSE Ltd.
The vessel has been engaging in extensive oceanic observing missions and research for the last 25 years.

A novel initiative of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Vision: It supports the objective of India’s policy declaration ‘Safety and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)’.
Objective: To promote closer cooperation among Indian Ocean Rim (IOR) countries in the areas of socio-economic and scientific interactions especially in ocean research.
It focuses on establishing long-term scientific partnerships and collaborations with eight IOR countries.
- These countries include Oman, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Myanmar.
Under the aegis of this policy, DRDO initiated a scientific component named ‘MAITRI (Marine and Allied Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative)’.
- MAITRI focuses on establishing long-term collaboration with IOR countries in the field of ‘Ocean Research and Development’.

It includes
- Scientific deployments onboard INS Sagardhwani in the Northern Arabian Sea.
- Initiating collaborative research programmes with the Department of Marine Sciences & Fisheries at Sultan Qaboos University, Oman.
Gives the scientists an opportunity to cooperate and build strong working relationships with their IOR counterparts studying the oceans.