Keel Laying Ceremony Marks Progress in Indigenous Shipbuilding: Indian Navy’s 8th ASW SWC Underway

Kolkata: The keel laying ceremony of the 8th Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), formerly known as GRSE, was conducted at M/s Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata on May 10, 2024. The ceremony, a significant milestone in India’s indigenous shipbuilding program, was graced by distinguished officials from the Indian Navy and GRSE.

Vice Admiral B Sivakumar, Controller Warship Production & Acquisition, presided over the ceremony alongside Commodore PR Hari, IN (Retd), Chairman & Managing Director of GRSE, and other senior officials from both the Indian Navy and GRSE.

The contract for the indigenous design and construction of 8 ASW SWC ships was formalized on April 29, 2019, between the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and GRSE, Kolkata. As of now, six ships under this project have been successfully launched, with the delivery of the first ship, Arnala, slated for August 2024.

The Arnala Class of ships is strategically designed to replace the aging Abhay class ASW Corvettes currently in service with the Indian Navy. These vessels are specifically engineered to conduct anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and Mine Laying Operations, thereby bolstering India’s maritime defense capabilities.

The keel laying of Yard 3034, marking the commencement of the construction of the final ship in the project, is a significant stride in India’s quest for self-reliance in shipbuilding. This accomplishment aligns seamlessly with the nation’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) and ‘Make in India’ initiatives, emphasizing the country’s commitment to fostering indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities.