India’s First Indigenous Polar Research Vehicle (PRV) and its Significance

Context: India will design and build the first-ever indigenous Patrol Vessel (PRV) by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in collaboration with Norway.

What is a Polar Research Vehicle (PRV)?

• A Polar Research Vehicle (PRV) is a specially designed ship built to carry out scientific research in extreme polar environments — both the Arctic and Antarctic
• These ships are engineered to:
  • Navigate through sea ice and withstand harsh polar conditions.
  • Serve as a mobile research platform equipped with advanced laboratories and scientific instruments.
  • Enable multi-disciplinary studies like glaciology, oceanography, meteorology, marine biology, and climate science.

Significance of the New Polar Research Vehicle (PRV) for India

• Strengthens India’s shipbuilding ecosystem and aligns with the ‘Make in India’ and Atmanirbhar Bharat
• A dedicated PRV enables India to achieve self-reliance in accessing these stations, thereby reducing its dependence on chartered foreign vessels.
• Polar regions are climate-sensitive hotspots. The PRV will help:
  • Monitor climate change impacts
  • Study polar biodiversity and marine ecosystems
  • Enhance oceanographic research and global climate models
• Positions India as a responsible global stakeholder in Arctic and Antarctic governance.
• Will catalyze investment, innovation, and employment in India’s maritime and shipbuilding sector under SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security Across the Region).

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