The Indian Navy is poised to mark a significant milestone in its maritime defence capabilities with the commissioning of its first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), Arnala, at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam on 18 June 2025. The commissioning ceremony will be presided over by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, and hosted by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command. The event will witness the presence of senior naval officers, dignitaries, shipbuilders, and other stakeholders who have contributed to the ship’s development.
Arnala is the first of sixteen ASW-SWC class ships being inducted into the Indian Navy, designed and built under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, in collaboration with L&T Shipbuilders through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). Delivered to the Navy on 8 May 2025, the ship’s construction was meticulously supervised by the Directorate of Ship Production and Warship Overseeing Teams based in Kolkata and Kattupalli.
Named after the historic Arnala Fort located off Vasai, Maharashtra, the warship is a modern embodiment of India’s rich maritime legacy. Just like the fort, which stood as a stronghold against invasions, Arnala has been built to operate with resilience and strength in the face of maritime threats. Its advanced features ensure operational readiness for a range of coastal and subsurface missions.
The vessel features more than 80% indigenous components, integrating cutting-edge technologies and systems developed by Indian defence firms such as Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), L&T, Mahindra Defence, and MEIL. Notably, the project has involved over 55 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), stimulating domestic industry growth and generating considerable economic activity.
With a length of 77.6 metres and a gross tonnage exceeding 1490 tonnes, Arnala is the largest Indian Naval warship to be powered by a Diesel Engine-Waterjet propulsion system. It is equipped for Subsurface Surveillance, Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, and Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), making it a versatile platform in the Indian Navy’s coastal defence arsenal.
The commissioning of Arnala represents a transformative leap in India’s maritime defence, reinforcing coastal security and underlining the country’s emergence as a self-reliant naval power in the strategically significant Indian Ocean Region.
