What are the maritime security challenges in India? Discuss the organisational, technical and procedural initiatives taken to improve maritime security.

Cite INS Samarthak under technical initiatives, as an indigenous platform adding surveillance, patrolling and unmanned-systems capability.

• INS Samarthak, commissioned on 16 October 2026, is built by L&T with more than 75% indigenous content.
• It can do maritime surveillance and patrolling and act as a mothership for drones and unmanned boats.
• It doubles as an HADR platform with limited hospital capability.

• INS Samarthak was commissioned at the Karwar naval base on 16 October 2026, with Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan presiding.
• It was built by L&T at Kattupalli near Chennai and has more than 75% indigenous content.
• The March 2022 contract covers two multi-purpose vessels, Samarthak and Utkarsh, valued at about ₹887 crore.

Use it to illustrate recent technical and organisational initiatives to strengthen maritime security through indigenous platforms and technologies.

• The Navy has 42 vessels on order and AoN for 78 ships and submarines and 120 fast interceptor craft worth about ₹2.41 lakh crore (October 2026).
• Through iDEX it has received over 4,000 proposals; Swavlamban 2026 challenges include quantum positioning for GPS-denied operations and high-power microwave weapons.
• RFPs have been issued for four landing platform docks and the next-generation frigate.

• The Navy has AoN for 78 ships and submarines and 120 fast interceptor craft worth about ₹2.41 lakh crore; 42 vessels are already on order.
• RFPs have been issued for four landing platform docks and the next-generation frigate; integrated full electric propulsion for the LPDs will be developed with the UK.
• Swavlamban 2026, the fifth edition of the Navy's innovation and indigenisation seminar, is on 26 and 27 October 2026 at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.