INS Magar was the lead ship of Magar-class amphibious warfare vessels of the Indian Navy.

[1] She was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Kolkata and was commissioned by Admiral R.H. Tahiliani, Chief of the Naval Staff on 15 July 1987.

At the time of the accident, the Magar was in the Bay of Bengal, around 40 nautical miles (70 km) from Visakhapatnam.

The injured were rushed to a naval hospital in Visakhapatnam by the Sea King helicopter on board.

[6] In April 2018, the ship changed base port to Kochi, the Indian Navy's training command.