India’s First Indigenous Polar Research Vessel | 04 Jun 2025

Source: IE 

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), a Government of India undertaking, has signed an MoU with Norway’s Kongsberg firm to develop India’s first indigenously built Polar Research Vessel (PRV). 

• A PRV is a ship that supports research in the polar regions (around the North and South Poles) and ocean areas, tailored to the needs of the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research. 
• PRV will support India’s polar and ocean research missions, strengthening its existing three research stations: Bharati and Maitri in Antarctica, and Himadri in the Arctic. 
  • The vessel will be equipped with advanced scientific instruments to explore marine ecosystems and deep-sea biodiversity in polar and southern ocean realms. 
• The project will reinforce India’s commitment to MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Regions). 
  • Under Sagarmala 2.0, India aims to become a global maritime leader by bridging infrastructure gaps and enhancing shipbuilding, repair, and recycling. 
• The collaboration with Norway also aligns with India’s ‘Make in India’ and Atmanirbhar Bharat goals by boosting indigenous shipbuilding capability.