Navy receives ‘Arnala’, first indigenous shallow water anti-submarine warfare ship

New Delhi, May 8: Marking a major step forward in India’s push for indigenous defence manufacturing, the Indian Navy today took delivery of ‘Arnala’, the first in a series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) vessels. The ship was formally handed over at L&T Shipyard in Kattupalli, near Chennai. Designed and built under a Public-Private Partnership between Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata and L&T Shipyard, ‘Arnala’ reflects the success of collaborative defence production in India. It has been constructed in line with the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) classification standards.

Named after the historic Arnala Fort near Vasai, Maharashtra, the vessel celebrates India’s maritime legacy. At 77 metres in length, Arnala is the largest Indian Naval warship to be powered by a diesel engine–waterjet propulsion system, allowing for high maneuverability in shallow coastal waters. The warship is equipped for a range of missions including underwater surveillance, search and rescue, low-intensity maritime operations, and anti-submarine warfare (ASW). It also boasts advanced mine-laying capabilities, making it a key asset for coastal defence.

The addition of the Arnala-class ships will greatly enhance the Navy’s ability to detect and respond to underwater threats in shallow waters — a critical capability amid growing regional maritime challenges. With over 80% indigenous content, the delivery of Arnala is a significant milestone in the Indian Navy’s commitment to self-reliance under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, further strengthening the country’s defence industrial base.