INS Arnala Commissioned into Indian Navy: Strengthening Coastal Anti-Submarine Capabilities

INS Arnala Marks New Era in Shallow Water Defence

INS Arnala Commissioned into Indian Navy: Strengthening Coastal Anti-Submarine Capabilities: The Indian Navy has officially inducted INS Arnala, the first in a new series of Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWC), built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE). This milestone vessel is the first of eight ships planned under a 2019 defence contract, reflecting India’s growing emphasis on securing its littoral waters against undersea threats. The addition of INS Arnala is a major boost to India’s near-shore naval defence capabilities.

Design, Performance, and Operational Role

Measuring 77.6 meters long and 10.5 meters wide, INS Arnala has been specifically engineered to conduct anti-submarine missions along India’s coastal waters with maximum efficiency. With a displacement of 900 tons, a top speed of 25 knots, and a range of 1,800 nautical miles, it is designed for persistent patrolling and sub-surface surveillance along India’s vulnerable sea approaches. Its capabilities make it a vital asset for tracking enemy submarines and defending key ports and naval bases.

Tribute to Maritime History and Strategic Purpose

The vessel draws its name from Arnala Island, located off the coast of Maharashtra, a region associated with the naval legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The naming is symbolic of India’s resolve to safeguard its maritime frontiers, echoing the strategic foresight of the Maratha ruler. INS Arnala is set to replace the ageing Abhay-class ships, offering the Navy a modern platform tailored to contemporary underwater threat scenarios.

Indigenous Defence and Collaborative Innovation

Built under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, INS Arnala features over 80% indigenous components, showcasing India’s progress toward self-reliance in defence production. It was constructed using a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model at L&T’s Kattupalli Shipyard in Tamil Nadu, reflecting successful collaboration between the public and private sectors. This approach not only enhances production efficiency but also generates skilled employment and strengthens India’s naval manufacturing ecosystem.

The Road Ahead: Naval Expansion Underway

GRSE is currently working on 16 additional naval platforms, ranging from stealth frigates to offshore patrol vessels and more ASW units, indicating a dynamic phase of fleet modernisation. These efforts aim to prepare the Navy for a broader spectrum of maritime threats, from conventional submarine warfare to emerging concerns like autonomous underwater vehicles. The commissioning of INS Arnala marks the beginning of a wider initiative to assert India’s maritime strength in the Indo-Pacific region.

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INS Arnala Commissioned into Indian Navy: Strengthening Coastal Anti-Submarine Capabilities: