Indian Navy boosts coastal defence with indigenous might

In a significant boost to India's maritime security, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Androth, the second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at the Naval Dockyard here today. The ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC). This induction marks a key milestone in the Navy's pursuit of enhanced anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities and indigenisation, as highlighted in an official ENC release. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata, INS Androth features over 80% indigenous content, embodying the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The vessel was handed over to the Navy on September 13, 2025, after rigorous trials, including contractor sea trials completed in March 2025.

Measuring approximately 77 meters in length with a shallow draught of 2.7 meters, Androth is powered by a diesel engine-waterjet propulsion system, making it highly maneuverable in littoral waters. It is equipped with advanced sensors like hull-mounted sonar (HMS) and low-frequency variable-depth sonar (LFVDS), lightweight torpedoes, indigenous ASW rockets, and a 30mm naval surface gun for self-defense. These features enable it to detect, track, and neutralize underwater threats such as submarines and unmanned underwater vehicles, while also supporting maritime surveillance, search and rescue, mine-laying, and low-intensity operations.

Named after Androth Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago, the largest island there the ship's nomenclature underscores India's commitment to safeguarding its extensive maritime territories. It revives the legacy of a previous INS Androth (P69), which served for 27 years before decommissioning. As the second in a series of 16 ASW-SWC vessels eight each from GRSE and Cochin Shipyard Limited the project, contracted in 2019, replaces ageing Abhay-class corvettes. The lead ship, INS Arnala, was commissioned in June 2025.

Recent inductions like INS Arnala, Nistar, Udaygiri, and Nilgiri, alongside Androth, reflect the Navy's rapid fleet modernization. Constructed under the supervision of the Directorate of Ship Production and Warship Overseeing Team, these vessels highlight collaborative indigenous efforts, including GRSE's in-house design and partnerships for sonar systems. The commissioning enhances India's ability to counter asymmetric threats in the Indian Ocean Region, particularly amid regional geopolitical tensions. With a crew of about 57, INS Androth will operate under the ENC, fortifying coastal defence and subsurface surveillance. This step reaffirms the Navy's resolve for self-reliant innovation, reducing import dependency and positioning India as a formidable maritime power.