India Launches Its First Home-Built Warship to Hunt Enemy Submarines in Shallow Waters

In a historic leap for India’s maritime strength and self-reliance, the Indian Navy has commissioned INS Arnala, the nation’s first indigenously designed and built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC). Commissioned on June 18 at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam, INS Arnala symbolizes a major milestone under the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Designed for the Coastal Battlefield

Measuring 77.6 meters long and displacing over 1,490 tonnes, INS Arnala is specifically built for shallow water operations. Its mission? To detect, track, and neutralize enemy submarines operating close to India’s coastline — a crucial role in modern maritime defense.

Powered by a diesel engine–waterjet propulsion system — the first of its kind for an Indian warship of this class — Arnala boasts a top speed of 25 knots and an operational range of 1,800 nautical miles, allowing it to patrol vast stretches of coastal waters with agility and endurance.

Eyes and Ears Beneath the Waves

At the heart of Arnala’s capabilities are its sophisticated underwater sensors:

• Hull-Mounted Sonar (Abhay)
• Low-Frequency Variable Depth Sonar (LFVDS)
• Underwater Acoustic Communication System (UWACS)

These systems allow the warship to detect silent threats lurking beneath the surface and share real-time data for coordinated action.

Its weapons suite includes lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets, and anti-torpedo decoys, backed by an Integrated Combat Management System and Integrated ASW Complex, making it a nimble yet lethal sentinel in India’s near-seas.

A Ship of Many Hats

While its primary role is anti-submarine warfare, Arnala is also equipped for:

• Search and rescue operations
• Mine-laying missions
• Surveillance
• Low-intensity maritime tasks

This multi-mission versatility makes it an invaluable asset in maintaining maritime security and disaster readiness across India’s littoral zones.

Built at Home, for Home

Named after Arnala Fort, located off the coast of Maharashtra, the vessel honors India’s rich maritime history. More than 80% of the ship’s components are sourced from Indian companies, including Bharat Electronics Ltd., L&T, Mahindra Defence, and over 55 MSMEs — a testament to the country’s growing defense manufacturing ecosystem.

INS Arnala is the lead ship of a planned 16-vessel fleet under the ₹12,622 crore ASW-SWC program. These new-generation craft are set to gradually replace the aging Abhay-class corvettes and tighten India’s grip on undersea coastal security.

Specifications

The INS Arnala is a compact powerhouse tailored for coastal anti-submarine warfare, and its specs reflect that precision. Here’s a breakdown of its key technical features:

• Length: 77.6 meters
• Displacement: Over 1,490 tonnes
• Propulsion: Diesel engine–waterjet combination — a first for an Indian naval vessel of this size, enhancing speed and agility in shallow waters.
• Speed: Up to 25 knots
• Endurance: 1,800 nautical miles (~3,300 km).
• Primary Role: Anti-submarine warfare in shallow coastal waters
• Secondary Capabilities: Subsurface surveillance, search and rescue, mine-laying, and low-intensity maritime operations
• Sensors: Hull-Mounted Sonar (Abhay), Low-Frequency Variable Depth Sonar (LFVDS), and Underwater Acoustic Communication System (UWACS).
• Weapons Suite: Lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets, anti-torpedo decoys, and advanced mine-laying systems.
• Combat Systems: Integrated Combat Management System (CMS) and Integrated ASW Complex (IAC)
• Indigenous Content: Over 80%, with contributions from BEL, L&T, Mahindra Defence, and over 55 MSMEs.

It’s the lead ship in a 16-vessel series under the ₹12,622 crore ASW-SWC program, designed to replace the aging Abhay-class corvettes and form a robust anti-submarine shield along India’s coastline.