The Indian Navy is set to commission its first indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), INS Arnala, on June 18, 2025, at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. This event marks a significant milestone in India's naval capabilities and its commitment to "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India) in defense manufacturing. The commissioning ceremony will be presided over by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan. Here are 10 key things to know about this new warship:
First of its kind: INS Arnala is the first of 16 ASW-SWC class ships to be inducted into the Indian Navy. Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, designed and constructed it in collaboration with L&T Shipbuilders under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
Boosting Coastal Defense: The INS Arnala's induction will significantly enhance India's shallow water anti-submarine warfare capabilities, crucial for maritime security in littoral zones. This is especially important given the increasing submarine activities in the Indian Ocean.
Naming Significance: The warship is named after the historic Arnala Fort off Vasai, Maharashtra, reflecting India's rich maritime heritage. Built in 1737 by the Marathas, the fort strategically monitored the Vaitarna River mouth and defended the northern Konkan coast. The ship's design embodies this heritage through its robust construction and advanced capabilities.
Indigenous Content: Over 80% of the warship's content is indigenous, with systems integrated by leading Indian defense companies like Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), L&T, Mahindra Defence, and MEIL. The construction process engaged more than 55 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), contributing to the domestic defense manufacturing ecosystem.
Vessel Specifications: INS Arnala measures 77 meters in length and has a gross tonnage exceeding 1490 tonnes. It is the largest Indian Naval warship propelled by a Diesel Engine-Waterjet system. With a draft of only 2.7 meters, it can easily access coastal waters to search for subsurface threats.
Operational Capabilities: The warship is equipped to perform various tasks, including subsurface surveillance, search and rescue missions, and low-intensity maritime operations. It is also capable of full-scale sub-surface surveillance of coastal waters as well as search and attack and can carry out coordinated anti-submarine operations with aircraft.
Armament: INS Arnala has Combat Management Systems onboard and will be armed with lightweight torpedoes and anti-submarine warfare rockets. It also possesses advanced mine-laying capabilities.
Crew Complement: The ship will have a contingent of 57 personnel, including seven officers.
Ship's Crest: The ship's crest features a stylized Auger Shell against a blue background, symbolizing resilience, vigilance, and dominance in challenging environments. The Auger Shell's spiraling, reinforced structure and precision tip mirror the ship's essence, built to withstand the ocean's relentless forces and undertake flawless anti-submarine operations. The ship’s name is inscribed in Devanagari script at the base of the crest.
Strategic Importance: The commissioning of INS Arnala is a transformative moment for India's naval capabilities. It strengthens coastal defense and reaffirms India's position as a self-reliant maritime power in the strategically vital Indian Ocean Region. The vessel will replace the Abhay-class ships.
The INS Arnala's delivery marks a significant step towards India's maritime security, aligning with the government's focus on self-reliant defense manufacturing and showcasing the country's growing prowess in defense manufacturing. All 16 warships of the ASW-SWC class are expected to be delivered by 2028.
