In a significant addition to India’s maritime arsenal, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Androth on 6 October 2025 at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. This state-of-the-art Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) is the second vessel in its class and a strong testament to India’s strides in indigenous naval defence capabilities.
Background and Build
- INS Androth belongs to the Arnala-class series of ships developed specifically for shallow water operations, focusing on counter-submarine missions in the littorals.
- Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, the vessel reflects India’s push for self-reliance, incorporating over 80% indigenous content.
- Named after Androth, the northernmost island of the Lakshadweep group, the ship draws symbolic value from India’s strategic island territories, reinforcing the Navy’s outreach in the Indian Ocean.
Design and Capabilities
- Measuring 77 metres in length and with a displacement of around 1,500 tonnes, INS Androth is engineered for high agility and precision in coastal anti-submarine warfare.
- The ship is powered by three waterjet propulsion systems driven by marine diesel engines, enabling rapid manoeuvres in shallow waters.
Its mission profile includes,
- Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) in coastal waters
- Maritime surveillance
- Search and rescue operations
- Coastal defence
- Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO)
The ship features advanced sonars, communication systems, and underwater detection equipment, making it capable of identifying and neutralising underwater threats efficiently.
Strategic Significance
- The induction of INS Androth significantly boosts India’s capabilities in monitoring and securing its coastal and near-shore regions.
- As underwater threats increasingly move closer to shorelines, such shallow-water crafts become essential for underwater domain awareness (UDA).
- This commissioning aligns with India’s larger defence goals of enhancing maritime security, maintaining regional stability, and showcasing the potential of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) in naval shipbuilding.
Important Takeaways
- Commissioned On: 6 October 2025
- Ship Class: Arnala-class ASW Shallow Water Craft
- Builder: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata
- Named After: Androth Island, Lakshadweep
- Length: 77 metres
- Displacement: ~1,500 tonnes
- Propulsion: Three waterjet propulsion systems
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