The Indian Navy is poised to mark a significant milestone with the commissioning of Arnala, the first vessel in the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) series. The commissioning ceremony is scheduled for June 18, 2025 at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam and will be presided over by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan.
The Indian Navy is poised to commission the first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) named Arnala at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on 18 June 2025. The commissioning ceremony will be presided over by the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Anil Chauhan, alongside Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command. This event marks a significant milestone in India’s maritime defence capabilities.
Arnala is the inaugural vessel of a series of 16 ASW SWC ships designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, in partnership with L&T Shipbuilders under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. This initiative is a prominent example of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat programme, which is focused on self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
The vessel was delivered to the Indian Navy on May 8, 2025, after rigorous construction and oversight by the Directorate of Ship Production and Warship Overseeing Teams based in Kolkata and Kattupalli.
The Arnala warship is named after the historic Arnala Fort located off the coast of Vasai, Maharashtra, symbolising resilience and defence. This 77.6-metre vessel boasts over 80% indigenous content, highlighting India’s growing capabilities in domestic defence production.
Advanced systems have been integrated from key Indian defence companies such as Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), L&T, Mahindra Defence, and Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL). More than 55 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) have contributed to the project, fostering economic activity and strengthening the defence industrial base.
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Arnala is designed for a variety of Anti-Submarine Warfare operations, including subsurface surveillance, search and rescue missions, and low-intensity maritime operations. It is the largest Indian naval vessel propelled by a Diesel Engine and Waterjet combination, with a gross tonnage exceeding 1490 tonnes.
The ship’s robust design equips it to withstand maritime challenges and enhances India’s ability to protect its coastal waters from underwater threats and other emerging security concerns.
The commissioning of Arnala represents a transformative advancement in India’s naval strength, reinforcing coastal defence capabilities and asserting India’s strategic position in the Indian Ocean Region. This development aligns with the government’s focus on enhancing national security through indigenous technology and manufacturing.
The induction of Arnala into the Indian Navy heralds a new era of maritime defence equipped with cutting-edge technology and high indigenous content. It reinforces India’s commitment to self-reliance and strengthens its defence preparedness in the strategically vital Indian Ocean Region.
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Published on: Jun 9, 2025, 10:50 AM IST
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