NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy on Tuesday commissioned INS Arnala, the first in a series of 16 indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. The commissioning ceremony took place in the presence of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan.
The event was hosted by the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, and witnessed participation from senior naval officials, civilian dignitaries, former commanding officers of the erstwhile Arnala, and representatives from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and Larsen & Toubro Shipbuilding.
INS Arnala is equipped with state-of-the-art ASW weapons and sensors and is designed for sub-surface surveillance, search and rescue, low-intensity maritime operations, and interdiction missions. At 77 meters in length and over 1,490 tonnes in displacement, it is the largest Indian naval vessel propelled by a diesel engine-waterjet combination.
In his address, General Chauhan lauded the Indian Navy’s shift from being a “Buyer’s Navy” to a “Builder’s Navy,” calling it a critical element of India’s Blue Water ambitions. He emphasized that with a large number of capital warships and auxiliaries currently under construction in the country, India has established itself as a strong player in shipbuilding.
The CDS highlighted the integration of home-grown technologies in indigenous warships, including stealth, electronic warfare suites, and advanced sensors, which enhance combat readiness and reflect the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Named after the historic coastal fort off Maharashtra, INS Arnala represents a significant step in enhancing India’s naval capability and underscores the nation’s industrial and strategic self-reliance.
