The vessel can monitor missile launches at long distances. The purpose of the ship is to support the development of India's strategic weapons and the Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme. The daily stated the ship (INS Dhruv) was commissioned in October last year in a ceremony that was not made public. The ship was earlier only known by its shipyard designated yard number as VC-11184.

The National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO), the Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Indian Navy crew will operate the ship.

The vessel will monitor India’s missiles trails as it can sail anywhere in the World. The 15,000-tonne ship carries three dome-shaped antennas packed with sensors for surveillance purposes.