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In a significant milestone for indigenous defence capability, the Indian Navy will commission INS Arnala, the first in a new class of Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), on June 18 at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. GRSE has delivered INS Arnala to the Indian Navy under a landmark PPP model with L&T.
The commissioning ceremony will be presided over by General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff, and attended by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, along with senior naval officers and representatives from the defence industry.
This event marks the induction of the first of 16 ASW-SWC vessels, a major capability boost to India’s coastal defence infrastructure amid rising maritime security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region.
Driving Atmanirbhar Bharat in Naval Capability
Constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, in collaboration with L&T Shipbuilding, INS Arnala exemplifies India’s growing prowess in indigenous warship design and production. With over 80% indigenous content, the vessel incorporates cutting-edge systems and technologies from Indian defence firms, including BEL, Mahindra Defence, L&T, and MEIL.
More than 55 MSMEs contributed to the project, reinforcing the ship’s role not only as a frontline naval asset but also as a catalyst for self-reliance and industrial growth under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Multi-Role Design for Littoral Warfare
Measuring 77 metres in length and displacing approximately 1,490 tonnes, INS Arnala is the largest Indian naval warship powered by a diesel engine–waterjet propulsion system. Purpose-built for high-precision anti-submarine warfare, it is also equipped for subsurface surveillance, search and rescue, and low-intensity maritime operations—making it a versatile platform for littoral (near-shore) combat scenarios.
A Historic Name with Modern Purpose
Named after the historic Arnala Fort off Vasai, Maharashtra—constructed in 1737 by Maratha commander Chimaji Appa—the ship honours India’s enduring maritime legacy. The fort, which once guarded the Vaitarna River’s mouth, symbolised resilience and vigilance. INS Arnala now carries that legacy forward, standing as a modern sentinel in defence of India’s maritime frontiers.
Crest and Motto: Symbols of Maritime Strength
The ship’s official crest features a stylised Auger Shell set against a navy-blue background—chosen for its natural attributes of spiral strength, precision, and durability. This emblem captures the ship’s core attributes: endurance, alertness, and striking power in maritime operations.
Beneath the crest, the Sanskrit motto “अर्णवे शौर्यम्” (Arnave Shauryam)—translating to “Valour in the Ocean”—encapsulates the ethos of the vessel and its crew: steadfast courage and readiness in safeguarding the seas.
Strategic Advantage in Shallow Waters
The induction of INS Arnala significantly strengthens India’s ability to detect and neutralize undersea threats in shallow coastal waters, a growing priority amid increasing submarine activity in the region. As the lead ship in a new class of advanced ASW platforms, Arnala represents a leap forward in India’s coastal security architecture and underlines the Navy’s transformation into a technologically self-reliant force.
Team BharatShakti
