The Indian Navy will commission its first indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), named Arnala, on June 18, 2025, at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. The commissioning ceremony will be led by General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff, highlighting a significant advancement in India’s naval capabilities and its commitment to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat defense manufacturing vision.
Designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in partnership with L&T Shipbuilders under a Public-Private Partnership model, Arnala is a 77.6-meter-long vessel with a gross tonnage exceeding 1,490 tonnes. It is specially equipped for sub-surface surveillance, search and rescue operations, and low-intensity maritime missions, with the distinction of being the largest Indian naval warship propelled by a diesel engine-waterjet combination, optimized for effective operations in coastal and littoral waters.
Arnala’s commissioning represents a strategic shift towards greater indigenous development in the Indian Navy’s fleet, moving away from earlier challenges faced with Soviet-era Petya III-class vessels that were prone to corrosion and required frequent maintenance. This modern, domestically produced craft enhances the Navy’s operational readiness and long-term sustainability.
Equipped with a state-of-the-art combat management system, Arnala can conduct full-scale sub-surface surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and coordinated attack missions alongside naval aircraft. Its offensive capabilities include lightweight torpedoes and anti-submarine warfare rockets, strengthening India’s defense posture against underwater threats in the critical Indian Ocean Region.
The induction of Arnala underscores the Indian Navy’s ongoing efforts to bolster coastal security and anti-submarine warfare strength, aligning with national priorities of technological innovation, strategic autonomy, and self-sufficiency in defense production.
