Visakhapatnam: Beneath a vibrant coastal sky at Visakhapatnam’s Naval Dockyard, the Indian Navy unfurled a new chapter today in its storied legacy with the commissioning of INS Arnala, the first of 16 indigenously crafted Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan presided over the ceremony, a stirring blend of naval tradition and forward-looking ambition, attended by a distinguished assembly of senior naval officers, civilian dignitaries, former commanding officers of the erstwhile Arnala, and representatives from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and Larsen & Toubro Shipbuilding. This momentous event not only bolsters India’s maritime defences but also heralds a bold stride toward self-reliance, showcasing the nation’s prowess in designing and building world-class warships.
INS Arnala, a sleek 77-meter vessel weighing over 1,490 tonnes, is a technological marvel engineered to dominate India’s coastal waters. Armed with a formidable array of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) weapons and a sophisticated sensor suite, it is tailored for a spectrum of missions, from stalking submerged threats to conducting search and rescue operations and low-intensity maritime operations (LIMO). Its pioneering diesel engine-waterjet propulsion system—the first for an Indian naval warship of its stature—grants it unmatched agility, slicing through waves with precision. Named after a historic coastal fort off Maharashtra, INS Arnala evokes a legacy of steadfast defence, now reimagined as a cutting-edge guardian of India’s maritime frontiers.
The commissioning, orchestrated by the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, pulsed with pride and purpose. General Chauhan’s address struck a resonant chord, celebrating the Indian Navy’s metamorphosis from a “Buyer’s Navy” to a “Builder’s Navy,” a transformation that fuels India’s aspirations as a Blue Water power. With an array of ships—capital warships and auxiliaries—taking shape in Indian shipyards, the nation is carving a formidable reputation in global shipbuilding. Chauhan highlighted the integration of indigenous innovations, from stealth technology that cloaks vessels in secrecy to electronic warfare suites and advanced sensors that sharpen combat readiness. These home-grown systems, he declared, are the bedrock of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, India’s vision of self-reliance that transforms strategic dreams into tangible might.
INS Arnala’s arrival is a clarion call of India’s industrial and strategic ascent. Born from a collaborative triumph of public and private expertise, with GRSE and Larsen & Toubro at the helm, the warship embodies the pinnacle of indigenous design, engineering, and craftsmanship. Its advanced systems, honed for the intricate demands of modern naval warfare, make it a linchpin in countering submarine threats and securing India’s coastal perimeters. As geopolitical currents swirl in the Indo-Pacific, INS Arnala equips the Navy to project power, protect vital sea lanes, and assert India’s maritime interests with confidence.
Beyond its steel and sensors, INS Arnala carries a deeper significance. As the lead vessel in a planned fleet of 16 shallow water craft, it spearheads India’s efforts to fortify its anti-submarine capabilities in near-shore waters, aligning with the Navy’s strategic blueprint to counter future challenges. Chauhan praised the Navy’s relentless drive to translate vision into reality, with indigenous innovation as its compass. The warship’s commissioning, he noted, strengthens India’s naval posture while igniting pride in its shipbuilding ecosystem, where every weld and wire reflects national resolve.
As INS Arnala’s ensign rose against the Visakhapatnam horizon, it stood as a beacon of India’s maritime odyssey—a fusion of heritage, ingenuity, and ambition. For the crew poised to navigate its decks, the mission is both timeless and urgent: to uphold India’s naval excellence and safeguard its shores with unwavering vigilance. In a world of shifting tides, the Defence Ministry said that INS Arnala is India’s steadfast anchor, ready to chart the seas with unyielding strength.
– global bihari bureau
