In a significant stride towards bolstering its maritime security and self-reliance in defense manufacturing, the Indian Navy has officially commissioned INS Arnala, the nation’s first indigenously designed and built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC). This pivotal addition marks a new chapter in India’s naval capabilities, specifically tailored for coastal defense against underwater threats.
INS Arnala is the lead ship in a planned series of 16 ASW-SWC vessels, designed to systematically replace the Indian Navy’s aging Abhay-class corvettes by 2026. Built under a substantial ₹12,622 crore program, the vessel showcases an impressive commitment to indigenous content, with over 80 percent of its components and technologies sourced locally. This highlights India’s “Make in India” initiative’s success in advanced naval shipbuilding.
Constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in collaboration with L&T Shipbuilders, INS Arnala is purpose-built to detect, track, and neutralize enemy submarines operating in shallow coastal waters. These areas, often complex and challenging for traditional anti-submarine warfare, require specialized vessels capable of rapid maneuverability and operating with precision in confined spaces.
The vessel is equipped with cutting-edge technologies crucial for its mission, including advanced hull-mounted and towed low-frequency variable-depth sonar systems. These sophisticated sonars enable the ship to effectively locate stealthy submarines in difficult shallow-water environments. Its design also emphasizes multi-dimensional mission capabilities, preparing it for diverse operational roles beyond core anti-submarine warfare.
The commissioning of INS Arnala not only enhances the Indian Navy’s capacity to safeguard its vast coastline and offshore assets but also reinforces India’s growing prowess as a formidable ship-building nation. As the first of its class, the INS Arnala sets a new benchmark for indigenous naval platforms, promising to be a critical asset in securing India’s maritime interests against evolving underwater threats.