GRSE delivers INS Arnala as boost to indigenous naval production

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Ltd has delivered the INS Arnala to the Indian Navy. It is the first vessel in a series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWCs), classed by the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).

The delivery marks a key milestone in India’s push for indigenous defence capabilities. Designed and built in compliance with IRS’s Naval Classification Rules, INS Arnala showcases successful cooperation between Indian Defence Public Sector Undertakings, private industry, and the classification society, IRS said in a statement.

Built for operations in shallow waters, the warship is equipped for underwater surveillance, submarine detection and neutralisation, and mine-laying. It is optimised for environments far more complex than those encountered in open ocean operations.

Cdr K K Dhawan, Head of Defence at IRS, said: "Indian Register of Shipping is honoured to be associated with this prestigious project and remains committed to supporting India’s defence and maritime developments through robust technical standards, innovation, and collaborative efforts. IRS is proud to have certified these vessels, which have over 80% indigenous content, which is a testimony to the commitment of IRS towards India’s ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.'