Prompted by a desire to renew its underwater preparedness the Indian Navy has launched the process of procuring survey vessels from indigenous shipyards.

As confirmed by a Navy official to the Press Trust of India (PTI), the four planned vessels are required to be 100 per cent indigenous, their primary assignment being conducting hydrographic and oceanographic surveys.

At the same time, the ships, armed with CRN-91 guns will have a limited defense role, but are also required to have the capacity of performing as hospital facilities in case of emergency.

In terms of specifications, the ships should be able to endure a mission time of about eight weeks housing circa 200 crew members.

With 2000-3000 tons of displacement, the estimated speed limit of the vessels will be 18 knots, in addition to the capability of operating one single-engine rotary wing aircraft of six tons and a retractable hangar for parking it.

Moreover, they will be able to cruise at very low speed from zero to six knots for extended period of time.

The life expectancy of the state-of-the art vessels is 25 years.

The construction of the ships and their subsequent commissioning is expected by 2017-18.