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”