Latest news with #Arnala
Hans India
3 days ago
- Science
- Hans India
Eighth, last anti-submarine warfare ship launched for Indian Navy
Visakhapatnam: Ajay, the eighth and last ship of anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW SWC), has been launched at the GRSE, Kolkata. The indigenously-designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Ajay (Yard 3034), the first ship of the Arnala class, was commissioned on June 18 and delivery of the second ship is scheduled in August. With an indigenous content of over 80 per cent, the ship exemplifies the government of India's initiative of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India and provides significant capabilities to secure national maritime interests in the Indian Ocean Region. Powered by diesel engines and propelled by water jets, the launch of Ajay marked a significant milestone in the Indian Navy's continued quest for self-reliance in shipbuilding, weapons, sensors and advanced communication and electronic warfare systems. The warship will augment the Indian Navy's underwater domain awareness, anti-submarine warfare and mine laying capabilities. The ship is equipped with role defining sensors such as hull mounted sonar and low frequency variable depth sonar (LFVDS) and firepower provided by state-of-the-art Torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, NSG-30 gun and 12.7-mm SRCG. In keeping with the naval tradition, Priya Deshmukh launched the ship in the presence of Chief of Materiel (COM) Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh. The event saw participation of senior officials from the Indian Navy and GRSE.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Indian Navy key to power projection and regional stability: Vice Admiral Deshmukh
The Indian Navy has become an essential instrument of national power projection, diplomacy and regional stability in an age of rising strategic competition, resource control and security challenges, said Vice-Admiral Kiran Deshmukh in Kolkata. He was speaking at the launch of Yard 3034 (Ajay), the eighth and last ship of Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) of the Arnala class, indigenously designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE). The Vice-Admiral added that the geopolitical situation is rapidly changing, especially in the Indian Ocean region. 'As the global powers endeavour to assert themselves in this region, where 80% of the global trade flows, the Indian Navy needs to retain the stature of being the preferred security partner to the maritime threats that emerge and also the first responder in case of HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) missions,' Mr. Deshmukh said. 80% indigenisation 'Arnala class of ships will be important platforms for the Indian Navy in fleet operations. I am aware that over 80% of indigenisation has been achieved in building this advanced warship that is promoting the mission of self-reliant India in the present scenario where the supply chain disruptions have been a major cause of concern in the industries,' he said. India is among a few countries that can design and build various types of warships and submarines, he said while mentioning that GRSE has progressed to become one of the premier defence shipyards of the country, having a unique distinction of building more than 110 warships. The first ship of the Arnala class was commissioned on June 18, 2025 and delivery of the second ship is planned in August 2025. The warship will augment the Navy's underwater domain awareness, anti-submarine warfare and mine-laying capabilities. GRSE chairman-cum-managing director Commodore (retd.) P.R. Hari said the ship 'Ajay' is one among 16 anti-submarine warfare shallow water vessels being built for the Navy by two shipyards — eight each by GRSE and a sister shipyard. 'With 16 warships under construction for the Indian Navy and many more orders for warships expected, I am confident of GRSE delivering a century of warships to Indian Navy within a decade.' Mr. Hari said. In keeping with the naval tradition, Priya Deshmukh, wife of Mr. Deshmukh, launched the ship. Senior officials from the Indian Navy and GRSE were present for the event.
India.com
15-07-2025
- India.com
Submarine Killer: Why Indian Navys INS Arnala Has China, Pakistan In Tension
New Delhi: On a warm day along India's eastern coastline, a new chapter in maritime defence began. A grey and sleek silhouette stood docked at Visakhapatnam, drawing attention without making noise. The Indian Navy had just commissioned its newest frontline asset, INS Arnala. Built indigenously, designed for one of the most complex challenges in modern naval warfare, anti-submarine operations close to shore, this vessel is a signal. India's naval command views the waters around it not merely as transit lanes but as lifelines. Nearly 95% of the country's trade by volume moves via sea. This reliance has made coastal and blue water security an economic imperative. INS Arnala fits into this context with precision. It is compact, highly manoeuvrable and equipped to hunt stealthy threats hidden in shallow waters. Unlike larger destroyers or frigates, Arnala is a specialised guardian. Six decks make up its structure, connected by narrow staircases, with sensors and control systems packed into every corner. This is not India's first ship with this name. Decades ago, an earlier INS Arnala was part of the fleet, named after a coastal fort near Vasai, Maharashtra. The new Arnala carries forward that legacy but does so with sharper teeth. At 77 metres in length, its radar signature is modest, but its presence is strategic. The commanding officer of the vessel described the arsenal – multiple sonar systems allow it to detect enemy submarines even in low-depth zones, indigenous rocket launchers, torpedo tubes and anti-torpedo decoy systems provide both offensive and defensive capability. If an enemy submarine locks on and fires, Arnala can dodge and strike back. The ship's power comes from its engine too. Using diesel and waterjet propulsion, it moves quickly and silently that is critical for sub-surface detection. One of the crew members explained the advantage – speed, manoeuvrability and reduced acoustic signature. That means the enemy might never hear it coming. Beyond the steel and software, Arnala houses more than a hundred sailors and officers. Living conditions are tightly planned but offer comfort and resilience. Every deployment and every shift prepare them for a theatre that remains invisible to the naked eye – the undersea domain. INS Arnala is the first of 16 ships being built under a strategic initiative to strengthen coastal defences. Eight will be positioned along the western coast and eight on the eastern. The Defence Ministry has invested over Rs 12,000 crore in this programme. Construction is split between Kolkata's GRSE and Kochi's shipyards under a public-private model. China's growing footprint in the Indian Ocean has catalysed this build-up. With over 370 warships and submarines, China operates the world's largest navy. Pakistan's fleet is also expanding, partly due to Beijing's support. Eight submarines were contracted by Islamabad in 2015 alone. India's maritime thinkers remember history too well. In 1971, a Pakistani submarine named Ghazi was found off the coast of Visakhapatnam. It was a reminder that conflict can arrive unannounced from beneath. Former naval experts say anti-submarine warfare is one of the most intricate forms of combat. Submarines near a coast pose threats not only to warships but to cargo vessels and ports. Dedicated ships like Arnala offer a counterforce without diverting larger battle fleets. If these ships do their job well, the rest of the navy can move. If these ships stay invisible, India's coastline stays safe. By 2029, 15 more Arnala-class vessels will join this force. India is building a wall beneath the waves. And this time, the first brick is already in place.
India Today
19-06-2025
- General
- India Today
How INS Arnala bolsters India's coastal defence
On a sun-drenched Wednesday on June 18, the Indian Navy welcomed a new guardian of its shores: the INS Arnala, the first of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) commissioned into its fleet at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata, this sleek, stealthy vessel marks a bold stride in India's journey toward self-reliance in defence. As the largest Indian Navy ship of its kind, powered by a diesel-waterjet propulsion system and boasting a shallow 2.7-metre draft, Arnala is designed to glide silently through coastal waters, a formidable predator in the hunt for subsurface Indian Navy is pursuing an ambitious modernisation and expansion plan, aiming to become a 175-warship force by 2035, with 96 vessels and submarines slated for induction over the next decade. It is transitioning to a blue-water force, driven by regional rivalry with China's PLAN (People's Liberation Army Navy) and the need to secure vital waterways like the Strait of commissioning of Arnala comes amid growing undersea activity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), including the increasing presence of Chinese and Pakistani submarines. This underscores why such shallow-water craft are essential—not just for wartime readiness, but also for peacetime deterrence, surveillance and shaping of the maritime after a historic Maratha fort perched 13 kilometres north of Vasai, Maharashtra, Arnala carries forward a legacy of resilience. Built in 1737 under the leadership of Chimaji Appa, the fort once stood watch over the Vaitarna river's mouth, guarding the northern Konkan coast against invaders. Today, its namesake ship mirrors that steadfast spirit, its armoured hull echoing the fort's enduring stone walls and its cutting-edge weaponry replacing the cannons of yore. The ship's crest tells its own story: a stylised auger shell, spiralled and resilient, set against a deep blue backdrop. Known for its reinforced structure and precision tip, the shell symbolises vigilance, survival and dominance in hostile environments—qualities that define Arnala's mission. Beneath the crest, a ribbon unfurls, bearing the motto 'Arnave Shauryam' (Valour in the Ocean) in elegant Devanagari script. This inscription is more than a slogan; it's a call to the crew to embody courage and strength in the face of the ocean's relentless over 80 per cent indigenous content, the ship integrates advanced systems from Indian industry leaders like Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), L&T, Mahindra Defence and MEIL, while engaging over 55 micro, small and medium enterprises. This collaborative effort not only bolsters India's domestic defence industry but also reduces reliance on foreign suppliers, ensuring strategic autonomy and seamless under a Public-Private Partnership between GRSE and L&T Shipbuilders, Arnala is the first of 16 ASW SWCs that will replace the ageing Abhay-class corvettes, originally built in the former Soviet Union. Eight of these ships will be built by GRSE, with the remaining eight crafted by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). Together, they promise to transform the navy's anti-submarine warfare capabilities, fortifying India's coastal defences and cementing its role as a maritime power in the 77 metres long and with a gross tonnage of over 1,490 tonnes, Arnala is designed to detect, track and neutralise enemy submarines in the shallow waters close to India's 7,500-kilometre coastline. These ships, equipped with an advanced anti-submarine warfare suite, carry lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets and mines, making them formidable coastal defence assets. Armed with a 30 mm Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) and 12.7 mm stabilised remote-control guns, they ensure robust protection against aerial and surface threats. Fitted with hull-mounted sonar and low-frequency variable depth sonar, they offer comprehensive underwater surveillance, enhancing detection and engagement in anti-submarine with state-of-the-art underwater sensors—including the Hull-Mounted Sonar Abhay, Underwater Acoustic Communication System (UWACS) and Low-Frequency Variable Depth Sonar (LFVDS)—the ship offers unparalleled subsurface surveillance. Its arsenal is equally impressive, featuring lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets, anti-torpedo decoys and advanced mine-laying capabilities, all integrated into a Combat Management System (CMS) and an Integrated Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Complex (IAC).Beyond combat, Arnala is versatile, capable of conducting search-and-rescue missions, patrolling, surveillance and humanitarian assistance. Its shallow draft and agile propulsion system make it ideal for operations near the shore, where larger vessels falter. Naval officers say the commissioning of Arnala is a signal to the world that India is a force to be reckoned with. By building complex warships with indigenous technology, India is progressively reducing its dependence on foreign arms and strengthening its strategic position on the global stage. The ASW SWC project showcases the nation's design and manufacturing prowess, paving the way for future defence Arnala sets sail, it carries the hopes of a nation and the legacy of a fort that once stood unyieldingly against the tides of history. With 15 more ships to follow, the Indian Navy is poised to bolster its coastal defences, ensuring continuous protection of its maritime borders and critical offshore assets. In an era of growing subsurface threats in the Indian Ocean, Arnala and its sister ships will stand as sentinels, safeguarding India's to India Today Magazine
India.com
19-06-2025
- General
- India.com
India's ‘INS Arnala' scares Pakistan! 1490 tons, 77-meter-long, largest Indian naval warship built by…, cost Rs…
The Indian Navy has inducted the anti-submarine warfare vessel INS Arnala, it is made for surveillance and rescue operations in shallow waters. It is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. The 77-meter-long warship is crafted with over 80% indigenous materials. It is named after the historic Arnala Fort in Maharashtra. India's Maritime Power The induction of INS Arnala has lifted India's naval capabilities. It is the first ship in the series of shallow-water anti-submarine warfare vessels. Arnala is designed for underwater surveillance, search-and-rescue missions, and low-intensity maritime operations. It weighs over 1,490 tons, is the largest Indian naval warship with a diesel engine-waterjet combination. It is built by GRSE in collaboration with L&T Shipbuilders. Its components were supplied by different Indian defense companies and over 55 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) like Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), L&T, Mahindra Defense, and MEIL. GRSE Major Project GRSE, in partnership with another shipbuilding company, is constructing eight ships each under this project. INS Arnala is part of a program to build 16 anti-submarine warfare shallow-water craft (ASW-SWC) at a total cost of Rs 12,622 crore and the cost of each vessel is Rs 789 crore. The ship's name is given to the historic Arnala Fort, located in Vasai, Maharashtra. Built in 1737 under the leadership of Chimaji Appa of the Maratha Empire, the fort was constructed to monitor the mouth of the Vaitarna River and also to be a safeguard near the northern Konkan coast. What Is GRSE? Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), based in Kolkata, is a shipbuilding company in India and a public sector undertaking (PSU) under the Ministry of Defense. GRSE mainly constructs warships and other vessels for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard and also exports ships as well.
