Indian Navy Inducts INS Arnala, Strengthening Coastal Defence

In a major boost to India’s coastal defence capabilities, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Arnala, the first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) vessel, at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. The commissioning ceremony was presided over by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan. Designed and built indigenously under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, this advanced vessel represents a leap forward in safeguarding India’s maritime interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Why in News?

The Indian Navy has officially commissioned INS Arnala on June 18, 2025, making it the first vessel in the 16-ship ASW-SWC series. It marks a significant enhancement of India’s anti-submarine warfare and coastal surveillance capabilities. The ship is a symbol of self-reliance in defence production, with over 80% indigenous content.

Key Features of INS Arnala

• Type: Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC)
• Length: 77.6 meters
• Displacement: Over 1,490 tonnes
• Propulsion: Diesel engine–waterjet propulsion system (largest Indian vessel with this system)
• Builder: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata
• Collaborator: L&T Shipbuilders
• Indigenous Content: Over 80% (aligned with Aatmanirbhar Bharat)
• Named After: Arnala Fort, a strategic fortification off the coast of Maharashtra

Strategic and Operational Importance

• Designed for shallow water operations, especially effective in littoral zones.
• Equipped to detect and neutralize enemy submarines in coastal waters.
• Boosts the Navy’s underwater surveillance and protection capabilities, essential for protecting critical maritime infrastructure.
• Enhances India’s deterrence posture against potential submarine threats, especially from adversaries in the IOR.

Background & Indigenous Significance

• Part of a 16-ship series, INS Arnala leads the class of ASW-SWC vessels.
• Demonstrates India’s growing naval design and manufacturing capabilities.
• Supports the Make in India and Defence Industrial Corridors vision by involving Indian firms and defence MSMEs.

Broader Significance

• Strengthens India’s presence in the Indian Ocean Region, especially amid increasing global maritime competition.
• Adds to India’s capability to protect its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and ensure freedom of navigation in regional waters.