Indian shipbuilder Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) has delivered the new anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW SWC) to the Indian Navy.
As disclosed, the vessel INS Arnala was delivered during a ceremony held in Kalkata on May 8, 2025. Simultaneous contracts for the construction of 16 ASW SWCs (8 by GRSE and 8 by another PSU Shipyard) were concluded by the Indian Navy, and with the delivery of Arnala, the first of these 16 vessels by GRSE, the Indian Navy will get a shot in the arm with respect to its shallow water ASW capabilities.
The ship was constructed through a PPP model, a first of its kind in India, where a major PSU shipyard collaborated with another shipyard, L&T Kattupalli.
Named after Arnala Island, which features a historic fort off the Maharashtra coast, the vessel represents a major step toward naval self-reliance, with nearly 88% of its components sourced indigenously.
Measuring 77.6 meters in length and 10.5 meters in width, INS Arnala is smaller than the earlier Kamorta-class corvettes, but it is designed for potent operational effectiveness in littoral zones. It is equipped for full-scale sub-surface surveillance, search and attack missions, and can also engage in coordinated anti-submarine warfare operations alongside aircraft. Its onboard combat management system integrates lightweight torpedoes and ASW rockets to deliver strong offensive capabilities against underwater threats.
The vessel’s propulsion is powered by three marine diesel engine-driven water jets, making it suitable for coastal operations. Its shallow draft of just 2.7 meters enables access to near-shore zones that larger ships cannot navigate, ensuring comprehensive area coverage, according to GRSE. The ship will operate with a crew of 57 personnel, including seven officers.
GRSE is currently constructing 16 more warships for the Indian Navy, including three P17A advanced stealth frigates , seven ASW SWCs , two large survey vessels, and four next-generation offshore patrol vessels. Apart from this, the shipyard is building 24 other vessels, nine of which are export platforms.
Last month, the shipyard held a keel-laying ceremony for the Indian Navy’s fourth next-generation offshore patrol vessel.