The Indian Navy has commissioned INS Androth, the second of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam earlier this week. The vessel is designed to detect and neutralise underwater threats operating close to India’s coastline.

Named after Androth Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago, the ship represents a new generation of highly agile and compact warships tailored for operations in littoral zones where larger destroyers or frigates face depth constraints. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, INS Androth boasts over 80 per cent indigenous content, underscoring India’s growing self-reliance in naval shipbuilding.

The 77-metre-long vessel, displacing 1,500 tonnes, is equipped with three diesel-powered waterjet propulsion systems. It features advanced sonar arrays, integrated surveillance suites, and state-of-the-art weapon systems designed for sub-surface detection and precision engagement.

While its primary role is to track and destroy hostile submarines, INS Androth can also perform secondary missions such as maritime surveillance, coastal defence, search and rescue, and low-intensity maritime operations.

India’s broader anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities already include the Boeing P-8I long-range patrol aircraft, Kamorta-class corvettes, and MH-60R multi-role helicopters, forming a layered defensive structure. INS Androth complements these assets by covering the near-shore operational gap, protecting India’s 11,000-km coastline and serving as the Navy’s first line of defence against underwater intrusions.

The vessel was formally commissioned by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, at a ceremony held at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam.