ARNALA ship under ASW SWC Project launched

Why in news?

• Indian Navy gets its first anti-submarine shallow water warship 'Arnala'

Key points:-

• The first anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW SWC) 'Arnala' was handed over to the Indian Navy.
• It was designed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata and built at M/s L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli.
• It is the first of the eight proposed ASW SWC warships, designed to strengthen the anti-submarine capabilities of the Indian Navy in shallow waters.

Built under PPP model

• The 'Arnala' warship was built under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model by GRSE and L&T Shipyard as per the classification standards of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). 
• It is a testimony to the capability of collaborative manufacturing in the defense sector and strengthening India's self-reliance.

Name linked to historical heritage

• This warship is named after the historic 'Arnala Fort' located in Vasai area of ​​​​Maharashtra, which is a symbol of India's rich maritime tradition.
• This naming is also an effort to connect India's cultural and military heritage to the new generation.

Technical features and operational capability

• 'Arnala' is 77 meters long and is powered by a diesel engine-waterjet combination, making it the largest Indian naval ship ever to be powered by this combination.
• It is designed for anti-submarine operations, underwater surveillance, search and rescue operations and low intensity maritime operations (LIMO) in coastal areas. Also, it is also equipped with advanced mine laying capability.

A milestone towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat

• More than 80% of the material in this ship is indigenous, reflecting India's progress in defence production under 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' missions.
• The delivery of 'Arnala' is a significant milestone towards further strengthening the indigenous capabilities of the Indian Navy.