Dhruv-class (VC 11184)

INS Dhruv (A40) is an ocean surveillance and missile range instrumentation ship built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited. Initially designated as yard number VC-11184, the vessel was developed under a classified program managed by the Indian Prime Minister's Office and the National Security Advisor. Construction began with the laying of the keel on 30 June 2014. Following harbour trials in July 2018 and sea trials in early 2019, the ship was delivered to the Indian Navy in October 2020. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval officially commissioned the vessel on 10 September 2021 at Visakhapatnam.

Designed by Vik Sandvik Design India, the ship is configured to gather electronic intelligence and track missiles and satellites. The propulsion system consists of combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) configuration engines and auxiliary generators. Sensor systems include a primary X-band and a secondary S-band active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. The vessel features a long open deck designed for the installation of multiple missile tracking antennas, carries an onboard helicopter, and accommodates a crew alongside a specialized technical team from the National Technical Research Organisation.

The vessel is jointly operated by the National Technical Research Organisation, the Defence Research and Development Organisation, and the Indian Navy. It is assigned to the Strategic Forces Command and based within the Eastern Naval Command, operating in support of the Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme. During its first mission deployment on 11 March 2024, the ship supported Mission Divyastra by tracking the test flight of an Agni-V missile equipped with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) technology. Project directors used the trajectory and other flight variables recorded by the vessel to evaluate the missile's performance.