INS Arnala/ First Indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft  

Why in News?  The commissioning of INS Arnala on June 18, 2025, in Visakhapatnam is a landmark event for the Indian Navy, boosting its coastal defense capabilities and advancing the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. As the first of 16 indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), INS Arnala strengthens India’s ability to counter submarine threats in shallow waters, reinforcing its maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region

Relevance : UPSC Pre &  Mains

Prelims : INS Arnala/ASW-SWC

Mains :   GS 3  Scince  Tech./Defence

Key Points

• Commissioning Ceremony: Held on June 18, 2025, at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam, presided over by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, and hosted by Vice-Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.
• Indigenous Build: Constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, with L&T Shipbuilders, featuring over 80% indigenous content, supporting India’s self-reliance in defense.
• Strategic Role: Designed for anti-submarine warfare in coastal waters, INS Arnala enhances the Navy’s ability to detect and neutralize submarines, replacing older Abhay-class corvettes.
• Fleet Expansion: First of 16 ASW-SWC vessels under a Rs 12,622 crore contract, with GRSE and Cochin Shipyard Limited building eight ships each, to be completed by 2028.
• Maritime Heritage: Named after Arnala Fort off Vasai, Maharashtra, symbolizing India’s maritime legacy, with a crest featuring an auger shell for resilience and precision.

Important Features of INS Arnala:

• Dimensions and Propulsion:

• • Length: 77 meters
  • Displacement: Over 1,490 tonnes
  • Propulsion: Largest Indian naval warship with a diesel engine-waterjet combination, ensuring high speed and maneuverability in shallow waters.
  • Speed: Up to 25 knots

• Endurance: 1,800 nautical miles (~3,300 km)

• Advanced Technology:

• • Equipped with Hull-Mounted Sonar (Abhay), Low-Frequency Variable Depth Sonar (LFVDS), and Underwater Acoustic Communication Systems (UWACS).
  • Supports subsurface surveillance, search and rescue, low-intensity maritime operations, and mine-laying.

• Weaponry: Includes torpedoes, rockets, and mines for effective anti-submarine operations.
• Operational Purpose: Optimized for sub-hunting in coastal waters, freeing larger naval ships for offensive roles.