07 June, 2025
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 the 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.
Built under the supervision of the Directorate of Ship Production and Warship Overseeing Teams in Kolkata and Kattupalli, Arnala was formally handed over to the Indian Navy on May 8, 2025. Named after the historic Arnala Fort near Vasai, Maharashtra, the warship pays tribute to India’s rich maritime legacy. Designed to mirror the fort’s enduring strength, Arnala boasts advanced features and a sturdy build, enabling it to protect India’s maritime interests and counter emerging security threats at sea.
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 reaffirming India's position as a self-reliant maritime power in the strategically vital Indian Ocean Region.
