Indian Navy gets its first anti-submarine shallow water warship 'Arnala'
Key points:-
The first anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW SWC) 'Arnala' was handed over to the Indian Navy.
It was designed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata and built at M/s L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli.
It is the first of the eight proposed ASW SWC warships, designed to strengthen the anti-submarine capabilities of the Indian Navy in shallow waters.
Built under PPP model
The 'Arnala' warship was built under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model by GRSE and L&T Shipyard as per the classification standards of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).
It is a testimony to the capability of collaborative manufacturing in the defense sector and strengthening India's self-reliance.
Name linked to historical heritage
This warship is named after the historic 'Arnala Fort' located in Vasai area of Maharashtra, which is a symbol of India's rich maritime tradition.
This naming is also an effort to connect India's cultural and military heritage to the new generation.
Technical features and operational capability
'Arnala' is 77 meters long and is powered by a diesel engine-waterjet combination, making it the largest Indian naval ship ever to be powered by this combination.
It is designed for anti-submarine operations, underwater surveillance, search and rescue operations and low intensity maritime operations (LIMO) in coastal areas. Also, it is also equipped with advanced mine laying capability.
A milestone towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat
More than 80% of the material in this ship is indigenous, reflecting India's progress in defence production under 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' missions.
The delivery of 'Arnala' is a significant milestone towards further strengthening the indigenous capabilities of the Indian Navy.