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 threats.The 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 Malacca.advertisementThe 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 environment.Named 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 challenges.advertisementWith 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 maintenance.Constructed 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 IOR.At 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 operations.advertisementEquipped 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 innovations.As 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 sovereignty.advertisementSubscribe to India Today Magazine

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