Indian Navy Commissions First Indigenous Anti-Submarine Warship ‘INS Arnala’.
Science and Technology
On June 18, 2025, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Arnala, the first of 16 indigenously built Anti‑Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW‑SWC), at Visakhapatnam Naval Dockyard. This 1,500‑tonne warship enhances coastal defence under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
- Constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in partnership with L&T Shipyard, INS Arnala features over 80% Indian-origin systems, including steel from SAIL’s Bokaro plant. The collaborative production marks a key milestone in India’s defence manufacturing self‑reliance.
- The 77-meter vessel displaces about 1,490–1,500 tonnes and is propelled by a diesel engine–waterjet combo—the largest of its kind in the Navy. Its shallow draft (2.7 m), speed (~25 knots), and agility allow rapid bursts to track submarines efficiently.
- INS Arnala is equipped with Abhay hull-mounted sonar, variable-depth sonar, and underwater acoustic communications. Its armaments include lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets, anti-torpedo decoys, and a 30 mm Naval Surface Gun—the first indigenous platform to fire it.
Main Point :- (i) Primarily designed for sub-surface surveillance, anti-submarine tracking, search-and-rescue, mine-laying and Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), the vessel secures India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and coastal chokepoints.
(ii) Commissioned on June 18 at Visakhapatnam, the event was led by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and attended by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, senior naval officials, and engineers from GRSE and L&T.
(iii) INS Arnala represents a decisive move from a "Buyer's Navy" to a "Builder's Navy." As the lead ship of a 16-vessel ASM-SWC series worth ₹12,622 crore, it boosts coastal defence and sends a strong message on maritime self‑reliance.
About Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE)
Chairman & Managing Director(CMD) : PR Hari
Headquarters : Kolkata
____________________________
