20 Jun INS Arnala Joins the Fleet: Powering Self-Reliance in Naval Warfare
This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and the Topic of INS Arnala Joins the Fleet: Powering Self-Reliance in Naval Warfare
SYLLABUS MAPPING:
GS-3- Science and technology- INS Arnala Joins the Fleet: Powering Self-Reliance in Naval Warfare
FOR PRELIMS
What are Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Shallow Water Crafts? How do they contribute to maritime security?
FOR MAINS
What are the major challenges in indigenous defence manufacturing in India?
Why in the News?
India commissioned INS Arnala—the first indigenously built, 1,500-tonne Anti‑Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW‑SWC)—on June 18, 2025, at Visakhapatnam Naval Dockyard. This marks the beginning of a 16‑ship program aimed at strengthening India’s coastal defence under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
What Are ASW–SWCs?
Anti‑Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts are specialised vessels designed for littoral and coastal waters. They are equipped with sonar systems, anti-submarine weapons, mine-laying capabilities, and search‑and‑rescue gear. The fleet, comprising 16 vessels built by GRSE and CSL under “Make in India,” will replace the ageing Abhay‑class corvettes.
Key Features of INS Arnala
1. Design & Propulsion: 77–78 m length, ~1,490 t displacement, diesel engines paired with water‑jet propulsion—the largest Indian naval platform using this setup
2. Stealth & Sensor Suite: Low radar/acoustic/IR signature; hull‑mounted sonar and towed low‑frequency variable-depth sonar for submarine detection
3. Armament: RBU‑6000 rocket launcher, lightweight torpedo tubes, anti‑submarine mines, a 30 mm naval surface gun, and twin 12.7 mm RWS
4. Multi-mission Capability: Suited for littoral ASW, subsurface surveillance, LIMO operations, mine-laying, and search-and-rescue
5. Indigenization: Over 80% Indian content, sourcing from BEL, L&T, Mahindra Defence, MEIL, Bokaro Steel Plant (BSL supplied 3,100 t of special-grade steel), and over 55 MSMEs
6. Cultural Symbolism: Named after the historic Arnala Fort, its crest (auger shell) and motto “Arnave Shauryam” reflect resilience and coastal vigilance
Significance of the INS ARNALA:
1. Coastal anti-submarine warfare boost: INS Arnala is India’s first purpose-built ASW shallow-water craft, designed to detect and neutralize enemy submarines in littoral zones, strengthening coastal defence
2. Indigenous-built milestone: With over 80% local content and built by GRSE under Aatmanirbhar Bharat, it symbolizes India’s shift to self-reliant defence manufacturing
3. Replacement for ageing corvettes: It replaces the older Abhay-class vessels, offering modern sensors, propulsion, and armament, part of a planned 16-ship fleet
4. Strategic deterrent in IOR: By enhancing underwater surveillance and strike capabilities in shallow waters, it strengthens India’s maritime posture in the Indian Ocean
5. Boost to domestic industry ecosystem: Built using 3,100 t of special-grade steel from SAIL‑BSL and integrating systems from BEL, L&T, Mahindra, and MSMEs, it underlines shipbuilding’s multiplier effect
Regional Significance:
1. Enhanced Coastal Defence: Boosts surveillance and deterrence against underwater threats near ports.
2. Port Security Network: First of 16 vessels will create an anti-submarine cordon around major ports.
3. Modernized Fleet Posture: Replaces older corvettes with stealthier, agile assets using water-jet propulsion
4. Strategic Deterrence: Acts as a coastal buffer, discouraging regional adversaries’ submarine activity.
5. Operational Synergy: Works in tandem with ASW helicopters and maritime surveillance aircraft for layered defence.
International Importance
1. Maritime Domain Awareness: Reinforces India’s role as a security provider in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
2. Aatmanirbhar Blueprint: Strengthens domestic shipbuilding and defence ecosystems, reducing import reliance.
3. Tech Export Potential: Indigenous ASW platforms could be marketed to friendly nations.
4. Maritime Diplomacy: Signals capability and reliability to regional partners amid strategic competition.
5. Strategic Balance in IOR: Enhances India’s undersea warfare capabilities to counter the expanding submarine fleets of neighbouring countries.
Key Security Issues in Littoral Waters
1. Porous, Extensive Coastline: Over 7,500 km of coastline with complex terrain (creeks, islands, estuaries) leads to inadequate surveillance and infiltration gaps
2. Overlapping Agency Jurisdictions: Indian Navy, Coast Guard, marine police, customs, fisheries and port authorities lack clear role demarcations, leading to turf battles
3. Knowledge and Technology Gaps: Significant blind spots exist due to insufficient radar coverage, AIS installation, sensor networks, and satellite/drone surveillance .
4. Under-Resourced Marine Police & Coast Guard: Inadequate training, inadequate platforms (interceptor boats), and lack of infrastructure undermine inshore patrol effectiveness
5. Non-Traditional Maritime Threats: Activities like maritime terrorism, smuggling, illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, drug/arms trafficking, piracy, and pollution persist
6. Weak Legal & Coordination Mechanisms: Absence of a comprehensive legal framework and weak multi-agency coordination arrangements impede strategic response.
7. Fisher Communities Not Integrated: Fisherfolk often distrust maritime forces; biometric IDs and communication channels are underutilised
Committee-Recommended Way Forward & Mechanisms
| Committee/Body | Year | Key Recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Kargil Review Committee & Task Force on Border Management | 2000–2001 | – Establish a Specialized Marine Police Force with coastal police stations and units – Expand Interceptor Boat Fleet for state marine forces – Promote Joint Operations Centres and Fishers’ Watch Groups for local and inter-agency coordination |
| Steering Committee for Coastal Security (SCRCS) & National Committee on Strengthening Maritime and Coastal Security (NSCMSC) | 2013 | – Implement Phase II of Coastal Surveillance Network: 38 new static radars + 8 mobile units integrated with Port VTMS and AIS systems – Strengthen National Maritime Domain Awareness (NMDA) through IMAC, IFC-IOR, and central radar integration |
| 187th Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs | 2015 | – Empower Marine Police: Training, interceptor boats, jetties, biometric ID cards for fishers, CCTVs, and SOPs – Legal Strengthening: Fill surveillance gaps; grant fisheries departments legal enforcement powers |
| Defence Standing Committee Review | 2024 | – Enhance Coast Guard Role: Focus on port and industrial zone vulnerabilities (e.g., nuclear plants) – Recommend multi-agency coordination via NSCMSC, IMAC, and NC3I Grid |
Conclusion
India’s coastal defence architecture, though significantly modernized post-26/11, remains challenged by jurisdictional overlaps, technology and manpower shortfalls, legislative gaps, and community distrust. Persistent threats—ranging from terrorism to environmental hazards—necessitate structural and procedural reforms. Implementing committee recommendations on technology integration, agency empowerment, legal reform, and community engagement will bolster littoral security, aligning with India’s broader maritime and defense objectives.
Prelims Questions
Q. With reference to INS Arnala, recently inducted into the Indian Navy, consider the following statements:
1. It is the first of the indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts under the ‘Make in India’ initiative.
2. It has been constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited.
3. INS Arnala is equipped with advanced sonar systems and lightweight torpedoes for coastal defence.
How many of the above-given statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: B
Mains Questions
Q. “What are the key design features of INS Arnala, India’s first Anti‑Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, and how does it enhance India’s coastal maritime security in the littoral domain?”
(250 words, 15 marks)
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