INS Arnala: Strengthening India’s Coastal Defence Capabilities

The Indian navy has received a new Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Shallow Water Craft, INS Arnala, from GRSE (Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers). This major achievement enhances the Indian Navy's capacity to protect its coastal waters against a possible submarine threat. The initial stage of this project, under contract signed in April 2019, includes construction of eight such crafts. INS Arnala is also a part of this.

Context

• The Indian navy has received a new Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Shallow Water Craft, INS Arnala from GRSE (Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers)

Highlights

Key Details:

Vessel Specifications:

• Length: 77.6 meters

• Width: 10.5 meters

• Displacement: 900 tons

• Maximum Speed: 25 knots

• Operational Endurance: 1,800 nautical miles

Design and Functionality:

• Designed for full scale anti submarine operations and sub-surface surveillance.

• The craft can partner with aircraft towards strengthening maritime security by responding in cohesion.

Public-Private Partnership (PPP):

• In a joint project between GRSE and L-T Kattupalli in Tamil Nadu, the clothes having been manufactured through a British company is now being set up in India PSA to reflect India’s commitment to increasing indigenous defence manufacture.

Strategic Importance:

• The vessel has been named after the historic Arnala Island, which has historical association with the king of Marathas Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

• The newly designed ASW crafts will thus upgrade India’s coastal defence prowess to unprecedented levels replacing Abhay-class ships.

Indigenous Manufacturing:

• More than 80% of the Components of INS Arnala is indigenous thereby strengthening India’s dream of becoming self- reliant in defence production. 

• The project should promote job creation and enhanced technological capability to the nation.

Future Developments:

• GRSE has been developing another 16 warships, including stealth frigates and offshore patrol ships, which will augment India’s naval power as well as modernise its maritime potential.

Conclusion:

INS Arnala is a giant leap towards India’s coastal defence policy. With its state of the art capabilities, native content and strategic significance, it will be an integral part of protecting maritime interests of India and it will harden the Indian Navy in coastal operations. It is the increasing desire of India to be self reliant defences strategically with a secure nation that is responsible for the constant growth in India’s naval capabilities.

UPSC Prelims PYQ - INS Arnala UPSC

Q. In the light of current trends in the Indian Navy, take the following pairs as an example:

And which ones of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) 1, 2 and 4 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4