On October 25, 2024, the Indian Navy’s seventh Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), named ‘Abhay’, was launched at M/s L&T’s Kattupalli facility. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), this vessel marks a significant addition to India’s maritime defense capabilities.
- The launch ceremony was overseen by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Eastern Naval Command, with Mrs. Sandhya Pendharkar, President of the Navy Wives Welfare Association (NWWA) Eastern Region, performing the ceremonial launch.
Project Background
Contract
- The contract for building eight ASW SWC ships was signed between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and GRSE, Kolkata, in April 2019.
Class Replacement
- The Arnala class of ships will replace the existing Abhay class ASW Corvettes in the Indian Navy.
Operational Design
- These vessels are specifically designed for anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and mine-laying operations.
Specifications
- Dimensions : The ASW SWC ships are approximately 77 meters long.
- Speed : Capable of achieving a maximum speed of 25 knots.
- Endurance : The vessels have an operational endurance of 1,800 nautical miles.
- Tracking Abilities : The ships can monitor both surface and underwater targets, conducting coordinated anti-submarine operations with aircraft.
- Armament : Equipped with lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets, and mines. Armed with a 30 mm Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) and 12.7 mm Stabilized Remote-Control Guns for defense against aerial and surface threats.
- Surveillance Systems : Fitted with Hull Mounted Sonar and Low-Frequency Variable Depth Sonar for comprehensive underwater surveillance.
Significance of the Launch
- Aatmanirbhar Bharat : The launch of ‘Abhay’ underscores India’s commitment to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative in shipbuilding.
- Indigenous Content : Over 80% of the ship’s content is indigenous, promoting large-scale defense production by Indian manufacturing units.
- Economic Impact : This initiative is expected to generate employment opportunities and enhance manufacturing capabilities within the country.