India’s push to strengthen its maritime scientific and defence capabilities received a major boost with the flagging off of INS Sagardhwani for the fifth edition of the Sagar Maitri (SM-5) mission, a flagship naval–scientific initiative aimed at deepening cooperation across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The oceanographic research vessel was flagged off from the Southern Naval Command in Kochi on Saturday (January 17, 2026) marking another step in India’s effort to combine naval diplomacy with cutting-edge marine research critical to national security.
Sagar Maitri: A mission anchored in MAHASAGAR vision
A collaborative initiative of the Indian Navy and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Sagar Maitri initiative is aligned with the government’s MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision. It aims to establish long-term scientific partnerships and collaborations with Oman, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Myanmar.
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The programme seeks to promote closer cooperation among Indian Ocean Rim (IOR) countries through scientific engagement, capacity building and shared ocean research, reinforcing India’s role as a net security provider and trusted maritime partner in the region.
INS Sagardhwani flags off for Sagar Maitri V
As part of the initiative, India’s indigenous Marine Acoustic Research ship INS Sagardhwani, based at SNC, Kochi set sail for the fifth edition of Sagar Maitri as the mission was flagged off by Radha Mohan Singh, Member of Parliament and Chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence, in the presence of senior defence and naval leadership.
Those attending the ceremony included Dr Samir V. Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO; Rear Admiral Upal Kundu, Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command; Dr R. V. Hara Prasad, Director General (Naval Systems & Materials); and Dr Duvvuri Seshagiri, Director, Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), along with senior officials from the Indian Navy and DRDO.
Scientific cooperation across the Indian Ocean
Under the Sagar Maitri framework, NPOL, Kochi, has been conducting regular oceanographic missions to strengthen scientific cooperation and build research capacity among IOR nations.
The initiative has expanded through MAITRI (Marine & Allied Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative), a scientific programme launched by DRDO to establish long-term collaboration with partner countries in ocean research and development.
The SM-5 mission aims to build sustained scientific ties with eight IOR countries — Oman, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Myanmar.
Collaborative Studies with the Maldives Begin
A key highlight of the ongoing mission is the launch of collaborative oceanographic studies with the Maldives, enabling joint research projects and professional exchanges among scientists from Indian Ocean nations.
These studies are expected to enhance shared understanding of regional marine environments while supporting broader maritime security and environmental objectives.
INS Sagardhwani to revisit historic maritime routes
The Indian Navy ship will retrace the historic routes of INS Kistna, which participated in the International Indian Ocean Expedition between 1962 and 1965. By linking past scientific endeavours with modern research objectives, the mission underscores India’s long-standing commitment to ocean science in the region.
Sagar Maitri forms the centrepiece of DRDO’s efforts to achieve robust Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) for the Indian Navy. During these missions, INS Sagardhwani collects high-value oceanographic and acoustic data along designated observational tracks, aligned with scientific objectives that directly support naval operations and maritime surveillance.
Such data is vital for understanding underwater conditions that influence submarine operations, sonar performance and maritime situational awareness.
Designed by NPOL and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), INS Sagardhwani is a specialised marine acoustic research vessel commissioned in July 1994. Over three decades, it has served as a cornerstone of India’s marine research capability, contributing significantly to ocean observation, acoustic studies and defence-related scientific missions.