INS Arnala Boosts India’s Coastal Defence Power

INS Arnala Strengthens India’s Coastal Defence Capabilities

Why in the News?

The Indian Navy is set to commission INS Arnala, the first ASW SWC (Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft), at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. This marks a major step towards coastal security and self-reliance in shipbuilding under ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat‘ and ‘Make in India‘ initiatives, enhancing India’s maritime security capability.

Key Highlights of INS Arnala:

• INS Arnala, a shallow water sentinel, is the first in a series of 16 ASW-SWC vessels being inducted into the Indian Navy, enhancing its capabilities in littoral zones and addressing the growing subsurface threat.
• It is named after the historic Arnala Fort off Maharashtra’s coast, reflecting India’s rich maritime history.
• The ship was delivered to the Navy on May 8, 2025 and will be commissioned in Visakhapatnam as a combat-ready asset.
• The ceremony will be presided over by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, with the national anthem played during the commissioning ceremony.

Indigenous Design and Capabilities

• Designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, in collaboration with L&T Shipbuilders, showcasing India’s growing strategic autonomy in defense manufacturing and expanding MSME base.
• Reflects the spirit of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ with 80% indigenous content, contributing to India’s self-sustaining shipbuilding ecosystem and incorporating home-grown technologies.
• Measures 77.6 meters in length, displaces 1,490 tonnes, and uses diesel engine-waterjet propulsion, making it the largest Indian waterjet propelled warship.
• Equipped for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) in shallow waters, enhancing strategic maritime security and the ability to neutralise underwater threats in contested maritime domains.

Strategic Significance

• Enhances India’s coastal defence and anti-submarine capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region, protecting critical offshore assets.
• Demonstrates India’s growing maritime self-reliance and indigenous shipbuilding prowess, supporting the development of Defence Industrial Corridors.
• INS Arnala’s induction as a cutting-edge warship is a crucial step in countering underwater threats and ensuring strategic dominance in regional waters, addressing growing subsurface threats.
• Equipped with a state-of-the-art weapon suite including a combat management system, hull-mounted sonar, and underwater sensors for comprehensive underwater surveillance.
• Capable of deploying lightweight torpedoes and carrying out coordinated ASW operations with maritime patrol aircraft.
• Enhances the Navy’s ability to conduct full-spectrum sub-surface surveillance and neutralize enemy submarines in contested maritime domains.
• Features advanced mine-laying capabilities, further strengthening its role in coastal surveillance and maritime security.