India’s Navy has become stronger with the arrival of its newest warship, INS Arnala, delivered on May 8, 2025. This ship is specially built to hunt submarines near India’s coast and protect shallow waters. It’s the first in a new group of ships called the Arnala-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC).
What Makes INS Arnala Special?
INS Arnala is smaller than big destroyers but very fast and smart. It is designed to work near coastlines and find hidden enemy submarines.
Key Features:
- Size: About 78 meters long
- Weight: Around 900 tons
- Speed: Up to 25 knots (over 45 km/h)
- Range: Can travel 1,800 nautical miles without refueling
- Crew: 57 people (7 officers + 50 sailors)
Why It’s Important
Submarines can be very dangerous if they sneak into coastal areas. INS Arnala is built to stop them before they get close. It uses:
- Underwater sonar systems to find subs
- Special rockets and torpedoes to destroy them
- Silent engines and waterjet systems to stay quiet and hidden
It also has high-tech radars, guns, and lasers to guard Indian waters against drones or small boats.
Made in India, for India
This warship is proudly built in India by L&T (Larsen & Toubro), using designs from GRSE (Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers). Over 88% of the parts are made by Indian companies, making this ship a big win for the ‘Make in India’ campaign.
Name and Legacy
INS Arnala is named after a small island called Arnala, located near Maharashtra. That island has a long history of guarding India’s west coast, just like the new warship will do.
What’s Next?
India plans to build 16 ships like INS Arnala. These small but powerful ships will patrol India’s coastlines, protect ports, and work with the Air Force and Navy submarines.
INS Arnala isn’t just another ship — it’s a sign that India is building a smarter, stronger Navy that can defend its coastal borders with precision and speed. With more ships like this coming soon, India is making sure no enemy submarine can sneak in without being caught.
