INS Arnala commissioned as Indian Navy’s first shallow-water Anti-Submarine Warfare ship

In a significant stride towards enhancing coastal defence and maritime capabilities, the Indian Navy on Wednesday commissioned INS Arnala, the first of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, into the Eastern Naval Command, in the presence of Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. 

Designed for a broad range of anti-submarine operations, INS Arnala is equipped to conduct Sub-Surface Surveillance and Interdiction, Search and Rescue Missions and Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO).

This 77-metre-long warship, with a gross tonnage of over 1490 tonnes, is the largest Indian Naval warship to be propelled by a Diesel Engine-Waterjet combination.

In his address, Gen Chauhan underscored the Indian Navy’s remarkable transition from a ‘buyer’s navy’ to a ‘builder’s navy’, highlighting this as the backbone of the country’s Blue Water aspirations.

The ceremony was hosted by Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Naval Command Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar and attended by senior naval officials, distinguished civilian dignitaries, ex-Commanding Officers, guests, and representatives from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers and Larsen & Toubro Shipbuilding.

Named after the historic Arnala Fort off Vasai, Maharashtra, the warship reflects India’s rich maritime heritage.

The Eastern Naval Command, where INS Arnala is now deployed, plays a critical role in India’s strategic outreach in the Bay of Bengal and the Indo-Pacific region. 

(This story was taken from syndicated feed and was only edited for style by Gujarat Samachar Digital team)