New Delhi: In a significant boost to India’s maritime defence capabilities, the Indian Navy on Thursday received ‘Arnala’, the first of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWCs), at M/s L&T Shipyard in Kattupalli. The vessel has been indigenously designed and constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, in collaboration with L&T Shipyard under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
This landmark delivery underscores the growing success of collaborative defence manufacturing in India. Built in compliance with the Classification Rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), Arnala marks a leap forward in India’s commitment to indigenous shipbuilding under the Government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. The vessel boasts over 80% indigenous content.
Named after the historic Arnala Fort located off Vasai, Maharashtra, the warship reflects India’s rich maritime legacy. At 77 metres in length, Arnala is the largest Indian naval warship to be powered by a Diesel Engine-Waterjet propulsion system.
Designed for versatility and operational effectiveness in coastal waters, the warship is equipped for a range of critical missions including underwater surveillance, search and rescue, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and advanced mine-laying capabilities. The vessel will also play a pivotal role in enhancing the Indian Navy’s Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) operations in shallow waters.
The induction of Arnala into the naval fleet marks a significant step in bolstering India’s maritime security and reaffirms the Indian Navy’s steadfast pursuit of technological self-reliance.
