Strengthening Coastal Defence: INS Arnala and India’s Shift to Indigenous Naval Capability

Why in the News ?

INS Arnala, the Indian Navy’s first indigenously designed and built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), has been commissioned, marking a significant milestone in India’s transition from a “Buyer’s Navy” to a “Builder’s Navy”.

Background: India’s Naval Indigenisation Drive

For decades, India relied heavily on foreign suppliers for its naval platforms and critical maritime technologies. However, evolving security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), increasing underwater threats, and the need for strategic autonomy have driven a shift toward indigenous shipbuilding and defence manufacturing.

Government initiatives such as Make in India, Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and reforms in defence procurement have accelerated domestic design, development, and production capabilities.

Within this framework, the Indian Navy has prioritised the development of specialised vessels for coastal defence, anti-submarine warfare, and low-intensity maritime operations, leading to the conception of the ASW Shallow Water Craft programme.

INS Arnala represents the first tangible outcome of this effort.

About INS Arnala

INS Arnala is the first of eight ASW Shallow Water Crafts (ASW-SWCs) being built for the Indian Navy and is the Navy’s first indigenously designed and built vessel in this specialised category.

Key Features

• Namesake: Named after the historic Arnala Fort in Maharashtra, reflecting India’s maritime heritage.
• Propulsion: It is the largest Indian naval warship to be propelled by a Diesel Engine–Waterjet combination, enhancing manoeuvrability and shallow-water operations.
• Design Role: Specifically designed for:
  • Underwater surveillance
  • Search and rescue operations
  • Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO)
• Operational Capabilities:
  • Conducting Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) in coastal and shallow waters
  • Advanced mine-laying and maritime security operations

These features enable INS Arnala to operate effectively in India’s vast littoral zones, ports, and island territories.

Strategic Significance

Enhancing Coastal and Littoral Security

INS Arnala strengthens India’s ability to detect, track, and neutralise submarines operating in shallow coastal waters, a critical vulnerability zone in modern maritime warfare.

Advancing Naval Indigenisation

As a fully indigenous platform, the vessel demonstrates the growing maturity of India’s naval design and shipbuilding ecosystem, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and enhancing strategic autonomy.

Boost to Defence Manufacturing Ecosystem

The project supports domestic shipyards, component manufacturers, and technology providers, contributing to the growth of India’s defence industrial base and skilled workforce.

Strengthening Maritime Domain Awareness

With advanced surveillance and ASW capabilities, INS Arnala enhances India’s maritime domain awareness, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region, vital for countering non-traditional threats and grey-zone challenges.

Challenges and Way Forward

Despite progress, challenges remain:

• Sustaining high levels of indigenous content across complex naval platforms
• Integrating advanced sensors, weapons, and combat systems domestically
• Ensuring timely delivery and lifecycle maintenance support

Going forward, India must:

• Accelerate serial production of ASW-SWCs
• Invest in indigenous sonar, propulsion, and weapon systems
• Strengthen public–private partnerships in defence shipbuilding
• Align naval modernisation with broader maritime security strategy