The Indian Navy is set to commission its first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), Arnala, at the Naval Dockyard, on June 18. Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Anil Chauhan will preside over the ceremony, which will be hosted by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.

Senior naval officials, guests, and representatives from shipbuilders and other agencies involved in its construction will participate in the programme.

The event marks the formal induction of the first of the 16 ASW-SWC class ships into the Indian Navy. Designed and built by M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with M/s L&T Shipbuilders, Arnala is a testament to the success of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence manufacturing.

Constructed under the guidance of the Directorate of Ship Production and overseen by the Warship Overseeing Teams in Kolkata and Kattupalli, Arnala was delivered to the Indian Navy on May 8, 2025.

Named after the historic Arnala Fort, off Vasai, Maharashtra, the warship reflects India’s rich maritime heritage. Much like the fort, which stood resiliently against various threats, the ship is designed to have a formidable presence at sea. Its robust construction and advanced capabilities ensure that it can withstand the challenges of the maritime domain, safeguarding India’s waters from emerging threats, according to a release.

The warship incorporates more than 80% indigenous content and integrates advanced systems from leading Indian defence firms The project has engaged over 55 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) promoting domestic industry and generating related economic activity.

Designed for a range of ASW operations, Arnala is equipped to conduct subsurface surveillance, search and rescue missions, and low-intensity maritime operations. This 77.6 m long warship, with a gross tonnage of over 1,490 tonnes, is the largest Indian Naval warship to be propelled by a diesel engine waterjet combination.

The commissioning of Arnala will mark a transformative moment in India’s naval capabilities, strengthening coastal defence and reaffirming India’s position as a self-reliant maritime power in the strategically Indian Ocean Region.