Context:

The Indian Navy will commission INS Androth, the second indigenous Anti‑Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW‑SWC) of the Arnala class, on 6 October 2025 at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, this vessel is the second in a series of ASW-SWC ships being constructed for the Navy.

Technical & Design Features:

·        Indigenisation: Androth is built with over 80% indigenous content aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat / Make in India vision.

·        Dimensions & Draft: The ASW‑SWC corvettes are approximately 77 metres in length, with a shallow draught of ~2.7 metres, allowing operations in coastal and littoral waters.

·        Propulsion & Maneuverability: Powered by marine diesel engines driving three water‑jets, enabling high agility in shallow waters.

Sensors & Weapon Systems:

·        Sonar & ASW equipment: Hull‑mounted and variable depth sonar suites for submarine detection.

·        Torpedoes & ASW rockets: Equipped with lightweight torpedoes and anti‑submarine warfare rockets.

·        Indigenous 30 mm Naval Surface Gun (NSG): Androth is among the class ships to be fitted with this indigenous gun.

·        Crew & Automation: The vessel is designed for a complement of about 57 personnel, including 7 officers.

·        Multirole Capability: Beyond ASW, Androth can perform maritime surveillance, search & rescue, coastal defence, and low-intensity maritime operations (LIMO).

About ASW‑SWC Project:

The ASW‑SWC (Anti‑Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft) programme is expected to replace the ageing Abhay‑class corvettes, which have served in coastal anti‑submarine and littoral roles.

·        Under this programme, a total of 16 ASW‑SWC vessels will be built: 8 by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, and 8 by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).

·        The contract was signed in April 2019 following competitive bidding, with GRSE and CSL emerging as the selected shipbuilders.

·        The first ship of the class, INS Arnala, was delivered by GRSE on 8 May 2025 from Kattupalli / GRSE arrangements.

·        Arnala was officially commissioned into the Indian Navy on 18 June 2025 at Visakhapatnam, in the presence of senior defence and naval leadership.

Strategic Significance:

1.       Augmenting Littoral ASW Capability
Submarines are a core asymmetric threat in the Indian Ocean Region, especially in shallow coastal zones. The ASW‑SWC series enhances India’s ability to detect and neutralise such threats close to home shores.

2.      Coastal Defense & Maritime Domain Awareness
With rising maritime challenges (e.g., intrusion, sea lanes, offshore assets), vessels like Androth help maintain a vigilant presence in coastal waters.

3.      Indigenous Defence Manufacturing & Self‑Reliance
The high indigenous content signals growing confidence in Indian shipbuilding and defence systems. It reduces dependence on foreign supplies and strengthens strategic autonomy.

 Conclusion:

The commissioning of INS Androth marks a significant milestone for the Indian Navy, showing India's commitment to strengthening its maritime security and defense capabilities. With its advanced features and indigenous design, INS Androth is set to play a crucial role in protecting India's maritime interests and contributing to the country's growing defense manufacturing capabilities