The Indian Navy’s Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) Abhay, constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd, was ceremoniously launched on October 25 at L&T’s Kattupalli shipyard near Chennai. Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, presided over the event.
This vessel is the seventh in an eight-ship ASW SWC series, an initiative from a 2019 contract between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and GRSE. The Arnala-class ships will eventually replace the existing Abhay-class ASW corvettes, currently serving the Indian Navy. Designed for anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, these advanced craft are also capable of Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and mine-laying activities, enhancing the Navy’s operational reach and defensive capabilities along India’s coastlines.
These 77-meter-long, 10-meter-wide warships are engineered for powerful subsurface surveillance in coastal waters. They can track various surface and underwater targets, and conduct coordinated anti-submarine operations with aircraft. The ASW SWCs are compact, waterjet-propelled vessels capable of reaching speeds up to 25 knots, providing agility and swift response in tactical situations.
Equipped with an advanced anti-submarine warfare suite, these ships carry lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets, and mines, making them formidable assets for coastal defence. They are armed with a 30 mm Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) and 12.7 mm Stabilized Remote-Control Guns, ensuring a robust defence against aerial and surface threats. The ships are fitted with a Hull Mounted Sonar and Low-Frequency Variable Depth Sonar for comprehensive underwater surveillance, enhancing their detection and engagement capabilities in anti-submarine operations.
The Indian Navy’s INS Abhay remains in service as the lead vessel of the Abhay-class ASW corvettes, originally built in the former Soviet Union. Commissioned in 1989, INS Abhay was the first of a four-ship series, though it now stands as the last active vessel of its class, with the other three decommissioned over the years. After 35 years of service, INS Abhay is also slated for decommissioning, paving the way for its successor—a technologically advanced ASW platform equipped to handle modern sub-surface threats with enhanced precision and resilience.
GRSE launches 7th Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft
Kolkata (25 October 2024): Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) achieved a major milestone on 25 Oct 24, when the 7th ship in a series of 8 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts being built by the… pic.twitter.com/SDkBdAG3mj
— GRSE – Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (@OfficialGRSE) October 25, 2024
Part of India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ Initiative
Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar commended GRSE’s efforts in equipping the Indian Navy with state-of-the-art warships, highlighting that Indian shipyards currently have orders for 63 new vessels to meet future requirements. “There is always the potential threat of an enemy submarine operating in Indian waters. Once commissioned, these ASW Shallow Water Crafts will address a critical gap created by the decommissioning of older ASW corvettes,” he remarked.
Vice Admiral Pendharkar also emphasised the shipyard’s commitment to indigenisation, with 80% of the equipment on these new warships sourced from Indian suppliers and OEMs. He noted GRSE’s significant progress, completing nearly 40% of the construction work before launch. Additionally, the shipyard is advancing other strategic projects, including three P-17A advanced Alpha frigates, survey vessels and four Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels.
Commodore P.R. Hari (Retd.), Chairman and Managing Director of GRSE, highlighted the shipyard’s dedication to equipping the Indian Navy and Coast Guard with modern, technologically advanced warships. “GRSE has delivered 72 warships to the Indian Navy so far, with 17 more currently under construction. With additional orders expected, we aim to reach a century of deliveries for the Navy within the next decade,” he stated. Speaking on the launch of Abhay, he emphasized the event as a significant milestone and expressed confidence that GRSE will deliver all eight vessels in the ASW SWC project within the stipulated timeline.
Team BharatShakti
