India’s naval capabilities received a strategic boost with the commissioning of INS Arnala, the first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, marking a new chapter in coastal defence and indigenous warship development. Commissioned today at Visakhapatnam, the vessel strengthens the Navy’s readiness to counter underwater threats in shallow waters. 

Akashvani Correspondent reports that the Indian Navy has officially commissioned INS Arnala, its first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, in a landmark ceremony held at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam today. The event, which was attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and senior defence officials, marked a major advancement in India’s maritime defence strategy. This induction marks the operational entry of the first of sixteen ASW-SWC class ships, enhancing the Navy’s capability to counter underwater threats in coastal and shallow waters. INS Arnala, developed under the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, incorporates more than 80% indigenous content. This is equipped for subsurface surveillance, search and rescue operations, and low-intensity maritime missions. The commissioning comes at a time when India is ramping up its overall defence preparedness, with special focus on maritime security in the strategically vital Indian Ocean Region.