In a significant milestone for India’s maritime defense capability and self-reliance goals, the Indian Navy is set to commission INS Arnala, the first in a series of 16 indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), on June 18, 2025, at Visakhapatnam. The induction will take place in the presence of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan, underscoring the strategic importance of the event.
The induction of INS Arnala not only boosts the Indian Navy’s capabilities in coastal and shallow water operations but also marks a leap forward in India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative in the defense sector. With over 80% indigenous content, this modern warship reflects India’s growing strength in defense production and maritime innovation.
Designed for the Littoral Battlefield
Shallow Water Craft (SWC) are specifically engineered to operate in coastal areas, or littoral zones, where conventional larger ships might not be as effective. The INS Arnala, with a length of 77 meters and a displacement of 1,490 tonnes, is designed for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) in these near-shore environments.
These areas are often vulnerable to stealthy incursions by enemy submarines and underwater threats. With the commissioning of INS Arnala, the Navy strengthens its ability to detect, track, and neutralize such threats in the coastal and shallow seas of India.
State-of-the-Art Technology and Indian Engineering
INS Arnala is powered by a diesel engine-waterjet propulsion system, making it the largest Indian warship to use this propulsion combination. This system offers better maneuverability and low acoustic signature—an essential feature for any anti-submarine warfare vessel, which must operate as silently as possible.
The ship is equipped with advanced underwater sensors and combat systems sourced from India’s top defense technology providers. Notable contributions come from:
- Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
- L&T Defence
- Mahindra Defence Systems
These systems include hull-mounted sonar, electronic warfare suites, torpedo launchers, and advanced communication networks, making the ship a formidable tool for surveillance, detection, and engagement in coastal waters.
Built by Indian Shipyards: GRSE and L&T
The construction of INS Arnala was carried out by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata, in partnership with L&T Shipbuilding, under a strategic project awarded by the Indian Ministry of Defence in April 2019. The full project involves building 16 ASW-SWCs for a total cost of ₹12,622 crore.
Two leading Indian shipbuilders—GRSE and Cochin Shipyard Ltd. (CSL)—have been tasked with constructing eight ships each under separate contracts worth ₹6,311 crore each. This strategic distribution aims to enhance construction timelines and maximize production capabilities across Indian shipyards.
The successful construction and upcoming commissioning of INS Arnala is a testament to India’s rapidly maturing shipbuilding sector and its growing ability to deliver high-technology naval platforms on schedule.
INS Arnala: Honoring a Legacy
The name “INS Arnala” is drawn from the historic Arnala Fort, located off the coast of Vasai in Maharashtra. The fort, with its rich maritime history, symbolizes coastal defense and resilience, making the name a fitting tribute to India’s maritime heritage.
The Indian Navy has a tradition of naming its warships in a way that connects them with India’s cultural and historical roots. INS Arnala continues this legacy and brings historical pride into the present operational theater.
Role in Future Naval Strategy
As India shifts focus toward strengthening its littoral and near-sea defense, shallow water vessels like INS Arnala will play a critical role. These ships are not meant for blue-water, open-ocean warfare but are extremely effective in low-intensity conflict, surveillance, coastal patrol, anti-infiltration operations, and submarine hunting close to the coastline.
Given the increasing presence of foreign submarines in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), including those from adversarial nations, these ASW-SWCs will help establish a tighter control of India’s maritime borders. They will serve as a vital link between the larger blue-water warships and smaller patrol craft, filling a crucial capability gap in shallow waters.
Boost to ‘Make in India’ in Defence
One of the most remarkable aspects of this project is its high level of indigenization. Over 80% of the ship’s components are sourced from Indian industries. This includes steel, electronics, sensors, propulsion systems, and weapon platforms.
Such high indigenous content reduces reliance on foreign suppliers, shortens supply chains, and ensures greater strategic autonomy. The project also generates employment across shipyards, ancillary units, and technology development centers in India, boosting the defense manufacturing ecosystem.
Furthermore, this serves as a model for future naval platforms, including corvettes, mine countermeasure vessels, and unmanned surface craft, all of which are on the drawing board or under development.
Delivery Timeline and Future Commissionings
As per the plan, all 16 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts are scheduled to be delivered by 2028. The Navy will commission them in phases, enhancing its near-shore submarine detection and engagement capabilities across multiple sectors simultaneously.
Each of these ships will be strategically stationed along India’s eastern and western seaboards, covering high-risk coastal sectors, maritime trade routes, and sensitive naval bases.
Conclusion: A Maritime Leap Forward
The commissioning of INS Arnala marks a pivotal moment in India’s defense preparedness and industrial capability. Not only does it strengthen the Indian Navy’s prowess in defending the nation’s 7,500-kilometer-long coastline, but it also showcases the fruits of India’s push for indigenization and strategic self-reliance.
With advanced sonar systems, modern weapons, and high indigenous content, INS Arnala is more than just a ship—it is a symbol of a new India that designs, builds, and defends with confidence.
As the Navy prepares to induct more such vessels in the coming years, INS Arnala stands tall as the first sentinel of a new generation of Indian-made warships, tailored for the unique demands of coastal warfare in the 21st century.
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