In a landmark moment for India’s maritime defence strategy, the Indian Navy has commissioned INS Arnala, the first of 16 next-generation Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), purpose-built to protect India’s coastlines and ports from undersea threats.
By Jarryd Sinovich
Presided over by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, the commissioning ceremony marked the official induction of a vessel that is both a technological milestone and a strategic deterrent. Built under the ‘Make in India’ and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, INS Arnala embodies over 80% indigenous content and a robust public-private production partnership between GRSE and L&T Shipbuilding.
Specifically designed for shallow waters, congested littorals, and critical port defence, INS Arnala is the largest Indian Navy ship powered by a waterjet propulsion system, boasting extreme agility, a low 2.7m draught, and a potent mix of sonar, torpedoes, and anti-submarine rockets. It is engineered for multi-role missions including ASW, mine-laying, surveillance, and maritime rescue.
Named after the historic Arnala Fort in Maharashtra, the ship’s crest features an auger shell and bears the Sanskrit motto “Arnave Shauryam” – “Valour in the Ocean.” With this commissioning, India takes a significant step forward in enhancing its maritime domain awareness and asymmetric threat deterrence across the Indian Ocean Region. The remaining 15 ASW-SWC vessels are set to follow swiftly, reinforcing India’s 16 major ports and transforming its near-shore defence capabilities for decades to come.
