The Indian Navy is set to commission its first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), Arnala, on 18 June 2025 at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. The commissioning ceremony will be presided over by Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan, and hosted by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command. Senior naval officials, dignitaries, and representatives from shipbuilders and associated agencies will be in attendance.

This milestone marks the formal induction of the first of sixteen ASW-SWC class vessels, developed to enhance India’s coastal security. Arnala, named after the historic fort off Vasai, Maharashtra, is a symbol of India’s maritime legacy and strength. The vessel was designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, in partnership with L&T Shipbuilders under a Public-Private Partnership model.

Delivered to the Navy on 8 May 2025, Arnala was constructed under the guidance of the Directorate of Ship Production, with oversight from Warship Overseeing Teams based in Kolkata and Kattupalli. The ship exemplifies the spirit of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence manufacturing, incorporating over 80 per cent indigenous components.

Key Indian defence firms involved include Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), L&T, Mahindra Defence, and MEIL, alongside over 55 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This extensive domestic involvement has contributed to industrial growth and economic activity across the country.

Measuring 77.6 metres in length and weighing over 1,490 tonnes, Arnala is the largest Indian naval vessel to feature a Diesel Engine-Waterjet propulsion system. It is designed for a wide range of operations including subsurface surveillance, search and rescue, and low-intensity maritime missions.

The commissioning of Arnala marks a significant advancement in India’s naval capabilities, reinforcing its coastal defence and affirming its strategic self-reliance in the Indian Ocean Region.