The Indian Navy has marked a significant milestone with the launch of ‘Abhay,’ the seventh Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) being constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) at L&T’s Kattupalli facility. The ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (East), with Sandhya Pendharkar, President of the Naval Wives Welfare Association (NWWA), Eastern Region, performing the traditional ship launch.
The contract for the construction of eight ASW SWC ships was signed between the Ministry of Defence and GRSE in April 2019. The Arnala-class vessels are designed to replace the existing Abhay-class ASW corvettes, specifically for anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and mine laying operations. Each ship measures approximately 77 meters in length, capable of reaching speeds up to 25 knots and covering an endurance of 1,800 nautical miles.
The launch of ‘Abhay’ underscores India’s commitment to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in shipbuilding. With over 80% indigenous content, the ASW SWC ships represent a significant step toward enhancing domestic defence production capabilities, fostering employment, and strengthening the country’s manufacturing sector.
