Context: The Indian Navy has received an indigenously-built anti-submarine warfare ship that is expected to boost its maritime prowess against the backdrop of China's growing forays into the Indian Ocean.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about INS Androth; Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Watercraft.
INS Androth: 2nd Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Watercraft
- INS Androth is the second of the 8 anti-submarine warfare-shallow watercraft (ASW-SWC).
- INS Arnala (named after the historic Arnala coastal fort in Vasai, Maharashtra), the first ASW-SWC was commissioned in June 2025.
- Built by: Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Kolkata.
- The name ‘Androth’ is derived from the Androth Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago.
Key Features of INS Androth:
- Measuring 77 meters in length, Arnala-class ship is the largest Indian Naval warship powered by a Diesel Engine-Waterjet combination.
- Advanced shallow water SONAR enables effective submarine detection and engagement in littoral zones.
- Equipped with state-of-the-art lightweight torpedoes and indigenous anti-submarine warfare rockets (ASW rockets).
Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Watercraft:
- The ASW SWCs are part of a Rs 12,500 crore programme to build 16 shallow water anti-submarine warfare vessels under two contracts awarded in 2019.
- GRSE is building 8 vessels, while Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) will build the other eight.
- The vessels from GRSE will form the Arnala-class. The CSL-built ships will be classified as Mahe-class.
- The ASW-SWC ships are being inducted into the Navy to strengthen its anti-submarine and coastal surveillance capabilities.
Significance
- Strengthen India’s maritime defence: The vessels are designed to safeguard India’s coastline and shallow waters against any threats. E.g., Guard against increasing presence of submarines in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), including regular deployments by Chinese and Pakistani naval assets.
- Self-reliance in defence manufacturing: The ship has over 80% indigenous content and is a testament to growing domestic capabilities and reducing dependency on imports.
The naval ships mark a critical phase in India’s naval modernisation, bolstering Navy’s ability to counter existing and emerging underwater threats and strengthen its presence in strategically sensitive waters.