On June 18, 2025, the Indian Navy formally commissioned INS Arnala, the first vessel in the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft
A New Era Begins: INS Arnala Takes Command of Shallow Waters
On June 18, 2025, the Indian Navy formally commissioned INS Arnala, the first vessel in the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) series, at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. The event, presided over by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, marked a defining moment in India’s maritime journey, from dependence to dominance.
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Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in collaboration with L&T Shipbuilding, INS Arnala is a 77-meter-long, 1,490-tonne warship powered by a diesel engine–waterjet propulsion system, a first for Indian naval vessels of this class. With over 80% indigenous content, the ship is a floating testament to Aatmanirbhar Bharat and India’s growing prowess in defense manufacturing.
Named after the historic coastal fort of Arnala in Maharashtra, the vessel is designed for sub-surface surveillance, search and rescue, interdiction, and low-intensity maritime operations (LIMO). It is the first of 16 ASW-SWC vessels that will replace the ageing Abhay-class corvettes, significantly enhancing India’s coastal defense capabilities.
Built to Hunt: The Tactical Edge of INS Arnala
INS Arnala isn’t just a symbolic milestone, it’s a strategic asset engineered for modern maritime warfare. Equipped with advanced sonar systems, lightweight torpedoes, anti-torpedo decoys, and mine-laying capabilities, the ship is tailored for shallow-water anti-submarine operations, where stealth and agility are paramount.
Its propulsion system allows for high maneuverability in constrained waters, making it ideal for patrolling India’s vast coastline and critical chokepoints. The ship’s acoustic communication systems and electronic warfare suites are entirely homegrown, showcasing India’s ability to integrate cutting-edge technology into indigenous platforms.
The vessel’s crest features a stylized auger shell, symbolizing vigilance and resilience, while its motto, Arnave Shauryam (“Valour in the Ocean”), reflects the courage and commitment of its crew. With this induction, the Indian Navy has taken a decisive step toward blue-water aspirations rooted in indigenous strength.
From Buyer to Builder: India’s Naval Renaissance
The commissioning of INS Arnala is more than a fleet upgrade, it’s a philosophical shift. For decades, India relied on foreign suppliers for critical naval platforms. Today, with INS Arnala, the Navy signals its evolution into a builder’s force, capable of designing, constructing, and deploying sophisticated warships tailored to regional threats.
This transformation is backed by a robust ecosystem of Indian defense manufacturers, including Bharat Electronics Limited, Mahindra Defence, and MEIL, all of whom contributed to the ship’s systems. The ASW-SWC program is expected to generate thousands of skilled jobs and catalyze innovation across India’s shipbuilding sector. Strategically stationed under the Eastern Naval Command, INS Arnala will play a pivotal role in countering undersea threats in the Bay of Bengal and Indo-Pacific region, where submarine activity has surged in recent years. Its presence enhances India’s deterrence posture and reinforces its commitment to safeguarding maritime sovereignty.
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