Indian Navy is all set to commission the first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), Arnala, at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam, on 18 Jun 2025. The ceremony will be presided over by Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Anil Chauhan. The ceremony will be hosted by Vice Adm Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, and attended by senior naval officials, distinguished guests, and representatives from the shipbuilders and various other agencies associated with its construction.

The event marks the formal induction of the first of the sixteen ASW-SWC class ships into the Indian Navy. Designed and constructed by M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with M/s L&T Shipbuilders, Arnala is a testament to the success of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence manufacturing.

Constructed under the guidance of the Directorate of Ship Production and the oversight of the Warship Overseeing Teams in Kolkata and Kattupalli, Arnala was delivered to the Indian Navy on 08 May 2025 (https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=2127729). Named after the historic Arnala Fort off Vasai, Maharashtra, the warship reflects India’s rich maritime heritage. Much like the fort, which stood resiliently against various threats, the ship is designed to have a formidable presence at sea. Its robust construction and advanced capabilities ensure that it can withstand the challenges of the maritime domain, safeguarding India’s waters from emerging threats.

⁠The warship incorporates more than 80% indigenous content and integrates advanced systems from leading Indian defence firms, including Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), L&T, Mahindra Defence, and MEIL. The project has engaged over 55 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), promoting domestic industry and generating related economic activity.

Designed for a range of ASW operations, Arnala is equipped to conduct Subsurface Surveillance, Search and Rescue missions, and Low-Intensity Maritime Operations. This 77.6 m long warship, with a gross tonnage of over 1490 tonnes, is the largest Indian Naval warship to be propelled by a Diesel Engine-Waterjet combination.

The commissioning of Arnala will mark a transformative moment in India’s naval capabilities, strengthening coastal defence and reaffiliate India’s position as a self-reliant maritime power in the strategically vital Indian Ocean Region.