The Indian Navy has received Amini, the fifth Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, marking another milestone in the country’s indigenous warship-building programme.
The vessel was delivered on November 5 at Kattupalli, Tamil Nadu. Designed and constructed by GRSE in accordance with the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), Amini is among the latest additions to the Navy’s capabilities for countering underwater threats in coastal waters.
Measuring approximately 77.6 metres in length, the vessel has been designed for shallow-water operations and is propelled by waterjets driven by marine diesel engines. It is among the largest Indian naval warships to employ waterjet propulsion.
The craft is equipped with advanced sonars, lightweight torpedoes and indigenous rocket launchers, alongside 30mm naval guns and a Combat Management System. These systems enable it to detect, track and engage underwater threats, particularly submarines operating in littoral waters.
Beyond anti-submarine warfare, the ASW SWCs are intended to undertake coastal surveillance, mine-laying and low-intensity maritime operations, expanding the Navy’s operational reach in shallow-water environments.
Named after Amini Island in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, the ship also revives the legacy of the earlier INS Amini, a Petya III-class anti-submarine warfare corvette decommissioned in 2002.
With more than 80 per cent indigenous content, Amini reflects the expanding capabilities of India’s domestic defence manufacturing sector and the Navy’s continued emphasis on reducing import dependence under the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The delivery reinforces the role of indigenous shipyards in strengthening India’s maritime security architecture, particularly at a time when underwater surveillance and anti-submarine capabilities are assuming increasing importance in the Indian Ocean region.
Team BharatShakti
