The Indian Navy is set to significantly bolster its coastal defence capabilities with the induction of 16 indigenously designed and built anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW-SWC) class of ships. 

The first ship, Arnala, was delivered on May 8 and will be commissioned into the Indian Navy on Wednesday.

These vessels represent a significant addition to India’s maritime security capability and underscores the success of the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-Reliant India) initiative in the defence sector, said a spokesperson of Indian Navy. 

Constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), these ships would replace the ageing Abhay-class corvettes. 

With over 80 per cent indigenous content, these ships reflect India’s growing self-reliance in shipbuilding and defence technology, the spokesperson observed.

The primary role of these ASW-SWC ships is to detect, track and prosecute enemy submarines, particularly in coastal and shallow water regions. 

Equipped with advanced underwater sensors such as the Hull-Mounted Sonar Abhay, Underwater Acoustic Communication System (UWACS) and Low-Frequency Variable Depth Sonar (LFVDS), these vessels are capable of comprehensive underwater surveillance, stated the Navy. 

To neutralise underwater threats, they feature a state-of-the-art weapon suite, including lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets, Anti-Torpedo Decoys and advanced mine-laying capabilities. 

The integration of sensors and weapons into the Combat Management System (CMS) and an Integrated ASW Complex (IAC) further enhances their combat capabilities.

The induction of the 16 ASW-SWCs is likely to have a profound impact on the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities. 

These ships would facilitate continuous and effective protection of India’s vast coastline and critical offshore assets from submarine threats, enabling the Indian Navy to counter the growing subsurface threat in the Indian Ocean Region, thereby contributing to regional stability. 

These ships also possess the capability of operating in shallow waters, making them ideal for tasks close to the shore, including patrolling, surveillance and humanitarian assistance.

The commissioning of Arnala will provide a fillip to indigenous defence projects, progressively reducing dependence on foreign arms imports and strengthening India’s strategic autonomy on the global stage.

Published on June 18, 2025