INS Arnala: The Indian Navy's New Submarine Hunter Strengthens Coastal Defence 

The Indian Navy is set to commission a powerful addition to its fleet—INS Arnala, the first of 16 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), on 18 June 2025 at Visakhapatnam. This compact yet highly capable vessel is a significant step in enhancing India’s ability to counter submarine threats near the coastline. Built under a ₹12,622 crore programme by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T), the INS Arnala is more than just a patrol vessel; it's a technological statement of self-reliance and modern naval warfare.

Indigenous Strength at Sea

One of the standout features of INS Arnala is its over 80% indigenous content, aligning perfectly with the Indian government's “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (self-reliant India) vision. This domestically built warship represents India's growing shipbuilding capability and commitment to strengthening its maritime forces using homegrown technology.

Unique Diesel-Waterjet Propulsion System

What makes INS Arnala even more unique is its diesel-waterjet propulsion system—a rare feature among Indian Navy vessels. Unlike traditional propeller-driven ships, waterjet propulsion allows for better maneuverability, especially in shallow waters. This makes it ideal for high-speed operations near the Indian coast, where agility is crucial for tracking and neutralising enemy submarines.

Part of the Arnala-Class Corvette Series

INS Arnala is the lead ship of the new Arnala-class corvettes, a class designed specifically for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) in shallow coastal waters. These vessels are smaller and more agile than traditional warships, enabling them to operate effectively close to shorelines where larger ships struggle. These corvettes will play a vital role in protecting offshore assets, ports, and shipping lanes from underwater threats.

Strategic Importance for India

With an expansive coastline of over 7,500 km and growing maritime interests in the Indian Ocean Region, India faces increasing challenges from stealthy underwater platforms like submarines. The addition of the INS Arnala directly boosts India’s capability to patrol, detect, and neutralize submarine threats in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and near-shore waters.

This is particularly important given the rising presence of foreign submarines, including those from adversarial nations, in the Indian Ocean Region. INS Arnala and her future sister ships are designed to be the first line of defence against such undersea incursions.

Tech-Heavy and Battle-Ready

INS Arnala is not just swift and agile—it’s loaded with cutting-edge systems. While official specifications remain partly classified, it’s known to feature:

• Advanced sonar systems for submarine detection

• Torpedo tubes and lightweight ASW rockets

• Close-in weapon systems (CIWS) for self-defence

• State-of-the-art communication and navigation systems

These systems allow the ship to monitor enemy movements, relay data in real time, and engage threats effectively. Despite its compact size, the ship packs a serious punch.

Collaboration Between GRSE and L&T

The Arnala-class project has been split between two of India’s most respected defence shipbuilders—GRSE (which is building eight ships) and L&T Shipbuilding (which is handling the remaining eight). This division not only speeds up production but also ensures that the Navy receives consistent, high-quality platforms built with Indian expertise and resources.

This approach supports industrial growth and job creation in the domestic shipbuilding sector—yet another example of defence driving development.

INS Arnala: A Name Rooted in Legacy

The name "Arnala" pays tribute to INS Arnala (K84), the earlier ship that served the Navy as part of the Soviet-origin Petya-class vessels. Named after Arnala Island located near Maharashtra's coast, it has deep historical relevance, signifying strong maritime traditions and coastal heritage. The new INS Arnala continues this proud legacy, blending tradition with modern warfare capabilities.

The Road Ahead: 15 More Ships to Follow

INS Arnala is only the beginning. The Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) programme includes 16 ships that will gradually join the Navy by 2027. Each of them will carry the same shallow-water combat proficiency and will operate in synergy with other maritime forces like P-8I aircraft, submarines, and frigates to create a robust underwater surveillance and combat grid.

These vessels will also enhance the Indian Navy's presence in the Eastern and Western Naval Commands, protecting strategic choke points like the Strait of Malacca, Gulf of Aden, and the Persian Gulf.

Conclusion

The commissioning of INS Arnala is a big leap for India’s maritime security. It’s not just a patrol vessel—it’s a precision-engineered tool for safeguarding India's vast coastlines and maritime interests. With homegrown technologies, unique design features, and a powerful ASW role, INS Arnala stands as a symbol of India’s modern naval ambition. As more vessels of the Arnala-class enter service, the Indian Navy’s ability to dominate the shallow waters and counter undersea threats will only grow stronger.

India has sent a strong message with the launch of INS Arnala: when it comes to defence, it is ready, self-reliant, and forward-looking.