First ship to be delivered in early 2024
‘Amini’, the 4th of 08 x ASW Shallow Water Craft (SWC) Project built at GRSE for Indian Navy, was launched on 16 Nov 2023 by VAdm Sandeep Naithani, Chief of Materiel.
Amini, named at L&T, Kattupalli, signify the strategic maritime importance accorded to the island of Amini at Lakshadweep, located about 400 Km west of Kochi.
As per the build strategy, four ships are being built at GRSE, Kolkata, and balance four ships sub-contracted to L&T Shipbuilding, Kattupalli, for hull and part outfitting.
The contract for building eight ASW SWC ships was signed between Defence Ministry and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata on 29 Apr 2019.
Arnala class of ships will replace the in-service Abhay class ASW Corvettes of Indian Navy and are designed to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, as also Low Intensity Maritime operations (LIMO) and Mine Laying Operations.
The 77m long ASW SWC ships with a displacement of 900 tons have a maximum speed of 25 knots and endurance of approx. 1800 NM.
The third ship of the class was launched on 13 Jun 23 at L&T, Kattupalli. Launch of four ships of the same class within a year highlights our strides in indigenous shipbuilding, towards AatmaNirbhar Bharat.
The first ship of the project is planned to be delivered in early 2024.
The ASW SWC ships will have over 80% indigenous content, thereby ensuring that large scale defence production is executed by Indian manufacturing units, generating employment and capability enhancement within the country. Fiinews.com
