The Indian Navy will commission its first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), Arnala, on 18 June 2025 at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam.
- Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Anil Chauhan, will preside over the ceremony.
- Vice Adm Rajesh Pendharkar will host the event.
Key Highlights:
- Arnala is the first of 16 ASW-SWC ships designed and built under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
- Built by GRSE, Kolkata, in partnership with L&T Shipbuilders, under PPP model.
- Delivered to the Navy on 08 May 2025.
- Named after the historic Arnala Fort, symbolizing maritime strength and heritage.
Technical & Strategic Significance:
- Over 80% indigenous content, with systems from BEL, L&T, Mahindra Defence, MEIL, and 55+ MSMEs involved.
- Capable of Subsurface Surveillance, Search and Rescue, and Low-Intensity Maritime Operations.
- 77.6 m in length, 1490+ tonnes, and first Indian Naval ship with Diesel Engine-Waterjet propulsion.
This commissioning strengthens India’s coastal defence and naval self-reliance in the Indian Ocean Region.
