Visakhapatnam / Kolkata: The Indian Navy’s coastal defence capabilities received a powerful boost on Wednesday with the commissioning of INS Arnala, the first in a series of Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW-SWC), built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Ltd. The commissioning ceremony took place at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam in the presence of General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff, and other top naval and defence officials.
With the commissioning pennant hoisted and the national anthem echoing over the dockyard, INS Arnala officially entered service – marking a major milestone not just for the Navy, but for Indian shipbuilding and indigenous defence production.
A ‘Silent Warrior’ with Advanced Capabilities
INS Arnala holds the distinction of being the largest diesel engine–waterjet propelled warship inducted by the Indian Navy to date. Designed and built by GRSE with over 80% indigenous content, the ship features cutting-edge subsurface surveillance technology and is capable of full-scale anti-submarine operations in shallow waters.
It was this very ship that earned GRSE the Raksha Mantri’s Award 2022 for designing the “most silent ship” – a critical factor in anti-submarine warfare.
Key Features of INS Arnala-
- Length: 77.6 metres
- Breadth: 10.5 metres
- Complement: 57 personnel, including 7 officers
- Propulsion: 3 marine diesel engines with water jets
- Draught: Just 2.7 metres for optimal shallow water manoeuvrability
- Armament: Lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets
- Systems: Combat Management System, advanced sonar and surveillance equipment
- Role: Subsurface surveillance, coordinated ASW ops with aircraft, search and rescue, mine-laying
Pioneering PPP Model in Warship Building
INS Arnala’s construction also marks a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership (PPP) in Indian defence shipbuilding. GRSE collaborated with L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli, to bring together PSU expertise and private sector execution. GRSE is currently building seven more ASW-SWCs for the Indian Navy.
Leadership Speak: Confidence in Indigenous Strength
General Anil Chauhan, CDS, lauded the ship’s capabilities and congratulated GRSE for delivering a “combat-worthy asset” to the nation.
He noted, “This highly agile platform will play a crucial role in safeguarding India’s vast coastline… and set the benchmark for future ships in the series.”
Cmde P R Hari (IN Retd), Chairman and MD of GRSE, emphasized, “GRSE has once again demonstrated its capability to design and deliver the most technologically advanced warships, reinforcing its role as a key pillar of India’s naval strength.”
Named After Legacy: ‘Arnala’ Island
INS Arnala is named after a strategically significant island off the coast of Maharashtra, known for its historic naval fort. This follows the Indian Navy’s tradition of naming its vessels to honour India’s maritime legacy.
About GRSE
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Limited is a premier defence shipyard based in Kolkata, known for building advanced warships for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. With over 100 vessels delivered, GRSE plays a vital role in India’s maritime defence and export capabilities.
