In News:

The Indian Navy is set to commission 'Arnala', the first warship under the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) series at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. The commissioning will be presided over by Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan.

About INS Arnala

• Type: First in the series of 16 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW-SWC)
• Builder:
  • Primary: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata
  • Partner: L&T Shipbuilders
• Delivery Date: May 8, 2025
• Indigenous Content: Over 80%
• Partners Involved:
  • BEL, L&T, Mahindra Defence, MEIL
  • 55+ MSMEs involved in the supply chain

Capabilities & Features

• Length: 77 meters
• Displacement: 1,490+ tonnes
• Propulsion: Diesel engine-waterjet system (a first for a warship of this size in India)
• Roles:
  • Anti-submarine operations in coastal/shallow waters
  • Subsurface surveillance
  • Search and Rescue (SAR)
  • Low-intensity maritime operations

Significance

• Aatmanirbhar Bharat Milestone: Highlights indigenous shipbuilding and defence manufacturing capabilities
• Boost to Coastal Defence: Enhances the Navy’s reach in shallow and strategic coastal zones
• Employment & Industrial Growth: Significant MSME and domestic defence industry involvement

Heritage & Symbolism

• Name Origin: Inspired by Arnala Fort, near Vasai, Maharashtra
  • Built by the Marathas in 1737 under Chimaji Appa
  • Historically guarded the Vaitarna River mouth and northern Konkan coast
• Design Symbolism:
  • Armoured hull reflects the resilient walls of Arnala Fort
  • Advanced sensors and weapons echo the fort’s cannons
• Crest:
  • Stylised auger shell – precision, strength, vigilance
  • Motto: Arnave Shauryam — “Valour in the Ocean”

In News:

Recently, the Indian Navy received Arnala, the first of eight indigenously designed and built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWCs). The vessel was constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, in partnership with M/s L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli, under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), exemplifying the growing collaboration in India’s defence manufacturing sector.

Key Features and Significance

• Arnala is named after the historic Arnala Fort located off Vasai, Maharashtra, symbolizing India’s rich maritime heritage.
• The ship measures 77 metres in length and is the largest Indian Naval warship powered by a Diesel Engine-Waterjet propulsion system.
• Designed and built according to the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) classification rules, the vessel adheres to domestic naval architecture standards.
• Over 80% of the ship’s components are sourced indigenously, marking a significant stride toward the Government’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in defence production.

Operational Roles

The Arnala class ASW SWCs are specialized for:

• Underwater surveillance in coastal and littoral zones
• Conducting search and rescue (SAR) operations
• Engaging in Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO)
• Performing coastal Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) missions
• Advanced mine-laying activities

The induction of these vessels enhances India’s capabilities in shallow water ASW, critical for safeguarding maritime security in near-shore environments and ensuring dominance in the strategically vital littoral areas.

Strategic Importance

The delivery of Arnala signifies a major milestone in the Indian Navy’s ongoing efforts to promote indigenous shipbuilding and strengthen domestic defence manufacturing. It highlights successful public-private collaboration in advanced warship construction and contributes directly to India’s broader strategic goal of self-reliance in defence technology.