Indian Navy to Commission 'Arnala,' First Indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare Craft
The Indian Navy is scheduled to commission 'Arnala,' the first in a new class of Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), in a formal ceremony at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam on June 18, 2025. This induction marks a significant step forward in bolstering India's coastal defence capabilities and underscores the success of the 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) initiative in domestic defence manufacturing.
Ceremonial Induction and Strategic Importance
The commissioning ceremony will be presided over by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, and hosted by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command. 'Arnala' is the first of sixteen such vessels planned for induction. Named after the historic Arnala Fort in Maharashtra, the warship symbolizes India's rich maritime heritage and is designed for a formidable presence at sea. Its primary roles will include subsurface surveillance, search and rescue missions, and low-intensity maritime operations.
A Triumph for Indigenous Manufacturing
Designed and constructed by Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in a public-private partnership with L&T Shipbuilders, 'Arnala' boasts over 80% indigenous content. The project has successfully integrated advanced systems from leading Indian defence firms like Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), L&T, Mahindra Defence, and MEIL, while also engaging more than 55 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), thereby boosting the domestic industrial ecosystem. This 77.6-meter-long warship, with a gross tonnage exceeding 1,490 tonnes, is propelled by a Diesel Engine-Waterjet combination, a notable feature for a vessel of its size in the Indian Navy.
The formal induction of 'Arnala' represents a transformative moment for India's naval capabilities. It not only enhances the Navy's capacity to safeguard India's extensive coastline and maritime interests in the strategically vital Indian Ocean Region but also stands as a testament to the nation's growing self-reliance and engineering prowess in the complex field of warship construction.
