Agray & Akshay : Navy receives two indigenous anti-submarine warships

Utkarsh Classes Last Updated 14-03-2024

Agray & Akshay : Navy receives two indigenous anti-submarine warships

Defence 5 min read

On 13 March 2024, two ships 'Agray' and 'Akshay' were launched to enhance anti-submarine operations of the Indian Navy. A contract for the production of eight such ASW Shallow Water Craft (SWC) was signed by the Ministry of Defence with Kolkata-based PSU GRSE.

These ships have been built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE).
For this, almost five years after signing the contract with GRSE, both the warships 'Agray' and 'Akshay' were launched on 13 March 2024.

Naming of 'Agray' and 'Akshay':

Agray and Akshay – Named after the former Abhay class corvettes Agray and Akshay of the Indian Navy.
As per tradition, there is a tradition of naming only a woman, hence Neeta Chaudhary named both the ships INS Agray and INS Akshay.
GRSE is building eight ASW SWC series frigates for the Navy, of which this is the fifth and sixth ships.
India is one of the few countries in the world with the capability to build modern warships, submarines and aircraft carriers.
The primary role of both warships is to conduct anti-submarine operations and low intensity maritime operations in the sea around the coasts.
This warship will be able to detect enemy submarines underwater.
The ship will undergo various sea trials, after which it will be handed over to the Navy. INS Amini, the fourth ship of the ASW SWC series, was launched in November 2023.
Launching two ships of this series simultaneously within four months is a historic achievement.

Launch of Agray and Akshay:

Neeta Choudhary, wife of Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Choudhary, launched the ships on the invocation of Atharva Veda.
The Indian Navy officially said that these Arnala class ships will replace the Abhay class ASW corvettes in service with the Indian Navy.

Work of Agray and Akshay:0

They are designed for anti-submarine operations, low intensity maritime operations (LIMO) and mine laying operations in coastal waters.

Characteristics of Agray and Akshay:

The ASW SWC ships are 77.6 meters long and 105 meters wide. These ships have a displacement of 900 tonnes and an endurance of over 1800 NM.
This ship has the capability to detect and disable enemy submarines underwater in maritime limits.
These vessels are powered by three diesel powered jet water. Along with full-scale sub-surface surveillance of coastal waters, it is capable of searching and attacking enemies.

India launched 3 indigenously built warships in the last one year:

In the last one year, 3 indigenously built warships/submarines have been supplied to the Indian Navy. A total of 9 warships have been launched. The launch of two more ships in this sequence highlights the country's resolve towards 'self-reliant India' in shipbuilding.

Indigenization of Indian Navy:

According to the Navy, the ASW SWC ships will have more than 80 per cent indigenous content. This will ensure that defence production will be executed on a large scale by Indian manufacturing units. This will increase employment and capacity within the country.