The Indian Navy is set to commission the Arnala, the first of sixteen Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASWSWC) class ships, on June 18, 2025, at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. Designed and constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, in a Public-Private Partnership with LT Shipbuilders, the Arnala embodies the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative with over 80% indigenous content. The ship, named after Arnala Fort, is equipped for subsurface surveillance, search and rescue, and low-intensity maritime operations. The 77.6-meter warship is propelled by a Diesel Engine-Waterjet combination and incorporates advanced systems from Indian defence firms, engaging over 55 MSMEs in its construction. The commissioning of Arnala is expected to enhance India's coastal defence and maritime capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region.
Key Entities Referenced
Maharashtra: State in India where Arnala Fort is located.
Ministry of Defence: The government ministry responsible for defence.
INDIAN NAVY: The naval branch of the Indian Armed Forces.
ARNALA: The first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASWSWC) being commissioned.
ASWSWC: Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, a class of ships. Arnala is the first in this series.
Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam: Location where Arnala is being commissioned.
18 Jun 2025: The date of the commissioning ceremony for Arnala.
Chief of Defence Staff: A high-ranking military official.
Gen Anil Chauhan: The Chief of Defence Staff who will preside over the commissioning ceremony.
Vice Adm Rajesh Pendharkar: Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, who will host the ceremony.
Eastern Naval Command: A command of the Indian Navy.
Garden Reach Shipbuilders Engineers GRSE: The shipbuilder responsible for designing and constructing Arnala, located in Kolkata.
Kolkata: City where Garden Reach Shipbuilders Engineers (GRSE) is located and where oversight of construction occurred.
PublicPrivate Partnership PPP: A collaborative effort between the public and private sectors for the construction of Arnala.
LT Shipbuilders: A partner in the Public-Private Partnership for building the Arnala.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat: An initiative focused on self-reliance in India, particularly in defence manufacturing.
Directorate of Ship Production: An organization involved in providing guidance during the construction of Arnala.
Warship Overseeing Teams: Teams in Kolkata and Kattupalli responsible for overseeing the construction of Arnala.
Kattupalli: Location where Warship Overseeing Teams provided oversight during the construction of Arnala.
08 May 2025: Date Arnala was delivered to the Indian Navy.
Arnala Fort: A historic fort off Vasai, Maharashtra, after which the warship is named.
Vasai: Location of the Arnala Fort in Maharashtra.
Bharat Electronics Limited BEL: An Indian defence firm that provided advanced systems for the warship.
LT: An Indian defence firm that provided advanced systems for the warship.
Mahindra Defence: An Indian defence firm that provided advanced systems for the warship.
MEIL: An Indian defence firm that provided advanced systems for the warship.
Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises MSMEs: Small to medium sized businesses that were engaged in the project.
Indian Ocean Region: A strategically vital maritime region.
Ministry of Defence
INDIAN NAVY SET TO COMMISSION ‘ARNALA’,
FIRST IN ASW-SWC SERIES
Posted On: 06 JUN 2025 6:07PM by PIB Delhi
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.Arnala Crest
Arnala Crest PDF
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VM/SPS 112/25
(Release ID: 2134607)