How do multi-role platforms with HADR and hospital-ship capability strengthen India's position as a 'First Responder' in the Indian Ocean Region?

A 'First Responder' reaches a crisis first with relief, medical aid and evacuation. India's claim to this role in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) needs ships that can switch from patrol to rescue at short notice. The indigenous Multi-Purpose Vessel Samarthak is built for HADR and can be converted into a limited hospital ship [1]. It shows how multi-role platforms make the claim credible.

Operational edge: speed and versatility

• Already at sea: a ship on routine surveillance and patrol can be sent to a disaster without a separate deployment [1].
• Medical reach: conversion to a limited hospital ship brings care to islands and coasts where hospitals are overwhelmed [1]. The survey vessel Ikshak has a similar dual HADR and hospital-ship role [4].
• Allied tasks: firefighting, salvage and towing [1][3] help after shipwrecks, fires at sea and port damage.
• Unmanned systems: as a mothership for unmanned systems [1][3], it can survey damage and search for survivors.

Strategic and diplomatic gains

• Goodwill as soft power: during COVID-19, Operation Samudra Setu brought 3,992 citizens home by sea from the Maldives, Sri Lanka and Iran [5]. Missions like this build trust that agreements alone cannot.
• Partnership: INS Sunayna sailed from Karwar as 'Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR' with personnel from nine friendly IOR nations [6]. Samarthak's Karwar base adds reach on the Arabian Sea side [1].
• Benign presence: a utility ship doing low-intensity maritime operations [1] shows the flag without looking threatening.
• Frees combatants: support ships take over towing and target duties [2], so frontline warships stay ready for deterrence.

Self-reliance sustains the role

• Built by private firm L&T under 'Buy (Indian)' [2], with major machinery from Indian makers [3]. Spares and refits therefore do not depend on foreign suppliers during a crisis.
• Scale is still thin: the public contract covers only two ships [2], although the Navy speaks of four [1].

Multi-role platforms turn routine naval presence into fast relief, medical care and diplomatic goodwill. India should publish and place follow-on orders, stock modular medical kits on board and hold regular HADR drills with IOR partners. These steps would make the 'First Responder' role dependable and match the vision of SAGAR.