First Arnala-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Ship delivered to the Navy

The first ‘Arnala’ class Anti Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) was officially handed over to the Indian Navy in a ceremony held at the  L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli in Tamil Nadu, on 8 May 2025.

The Arnala class ASW SWC was built by the Kolkata-based defence shipyard, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), on a public-private partnership, with an indigenous content of 80 per cent.

Mahe and Arnala class ASW-SWC Project in India

To strengthen the Indian Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capability, the government of india launched a project to manufacture 16 ASW-SWC within India under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative.

The Indigenous ASW SWC will replace the Abhay-class corvettes of Soviet Union origin that were inducted into the Indian Navy in 1989.

• Under the project, 8 vessels were to be built by Cochin Shipyards Limited, and similarly, 8 will be built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers.
• The ships being built by the Cochin Shipyards are called Mahe Class ASW SWC..
• The Arnala Class vessels are being built  by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers,Kolkata.
• Arnala is a fort off the coast of Maharashtra.
• Five ‘Mahe’ Class ASW SWC- Mahe, Malvan, Mangrol, Malpe and Mulki have already been delivered to the Indian Navy.
• The first Arnala class ASW SWC was delivered to the Navy on 8th May 2025.
• Under the Arnala class ASW SWC, Androth, Anjadip, Amini, Agary, and Akshay are under various construction phases.

About the Indigenous ASW SWC Vessels 

ASW SWC  vessels are submarine killers that hunt enemy submarines in shallow waters along the coastal areas. 

These vessels are also used for laying mines in the sea and low-intensity maritime operations.

• Weapon System on board the ASW SWC-  To hunt and destroy the submarines the vessels are armed with lightweight torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, anti submarine mines.
• It is also equipped with a 30mm naval surface gun, and two 16.7mm stabilised remote control guns..
• These vessels have stealth capability and are equipped with highly advanced sonar to detect submarines.
• These vessels can attain a maximum speed of  25 knots per hour. 
• These vessels can accommodate 57 crew members.