, the Indian Navy is set to commission INS Arnala, the first of 16 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam on 18 June. Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan will preside over the ceremony, which will be hosted by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command.This commissioning marks the start of a major initiative to modernise the Navy’s shallow water combat fleet.

INS Arnala has been developed at a cost of ₹12,622 crore as part of a dual contract signed in April 2019 with Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, and Cochin Shipyard. Each is building eight warships under this programme. All 16 vessels are expected to be delivered by 2028.

Arnala was delivered to the Indian Navy on 8 May 2025. It was built in collaboration between GRSE and L&T Shipbuilders, under the oversight of the Directorate of Ship Production and the Warship Overseeing Teams in Kolkata and Kattupalli. This public-private partnership reflects the increasing role of indigenous industries in India's defence sector.

A senior official noted, “The warship incorporates over 80% indigenous content and integrates advanced systems from leading Indian defence firms, including Bharat Electronics Limited, L&T, and Mahindra Defence.”

INS Arnala is 77.6 metres long, displaces over 1,490 tonnes, and is specifically designed for operations close to the coast. It is the largest Indian naval vessel to be powered by a diesel engine-waterjet combination—an unusual propulsion system that offers enhanced manoeuvrability in shallow waters.The ship is equipped to conduct a wide range of operations, including sub-surface surveillance, search and rescue missions, and low-intensity maritime tasks. It comes armed with modern underwater sensors and systems that allow it to detect and engage submarine threats efficiently.Described in official statements as a “testament to the success of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence manufacturing”, the Arnala project has provided a significant boost to domestic capability. Over 55 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) contributed to its systems and components. The inclusion of firms like MEIL further underlines the broad participation of Indian industry.

This isn’t just a vessel—it’s a floating platform for showcasing what homegrown talent and infrastructure can achieve.

INS Arnala takes its name from the Arnala Fort off Vasai, Maharashtra. Built in 1737 by the Marathas under Chimaji Appa, the fort was strategically located to monitor the Vaitarna river mouth and the northern Konkan coast. This historical connection was not incidental—it was intended to reflect India’s long-standing maritime traditions and its determination to defend its shores.

The ship’s crest features a stylised auger shell set against a blue backdrop. The Ministry of Defence explained, “The Auger Shell, known for its spiralled, reinforced structure and precision tip, symbolises resilience, vigilance, survival, and dominance in challenging environments, which mirrors the essence of the ship built to withstand the relentless forces of the ocean and undertake flawless anti-submarine operations with precise ordnance on target.”

The induction of INS Arnala signals a new phase in India’s maritime defence. These warships are not designed for high-intensity warfare on the open sea. Their real strength lies in safeguarding India’s 7,500 km coastline—against stealthy submarines, suspicious vessels, and emerging underwater threats.

It is a quiet transformation, but a necessary one.

With INS Arnala, India is not just building ships. It is building deterrence, capability, and confidence—one hull at a time.

(With inputs from PTI)