INS Arnala Commissioned into Indian Navy: A New Era of Indigenous Maritime Power Dawns

In a big endorsement of India's expanding naval strength and defence production autonomy, the Indian Navy commissioned INS Arnala, the lead of sixteen locally designed and constructed Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), into operational service. The induction ceremony was conducted on 18 June 2025 at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam, in the grand presence of General Anil Chauhan, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

The ceremony, organized by the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, witnessed distinguished presence of senior military officers, civilian dignitaries, previous commanding officers of the erstwhile INS Arnala, and representative figures from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and Larsen & Toubro Shipbuilding — the industry powers behind this engineering marvel.

Conceived in Depth, Driven by Innovation

INS Arnala is no ship. Measuring 77 meters and tipping the scales at more than 1490 tonnes, it is India's largest naval platform to utilize the Diesel Engine–Waterjet propulsion combination, providing it with unparalleled manoeuvrability in shallow water. Specifically designed for sub-surface patrols, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue operations, and low-intensity maritime operations (LIMO), the ship is the embodiment of the latest in Indian naval technology.

The vessel is equipped with cutting-edge armaments and sensor suites tailored for littoral warfare and reconnaissance operations. As India turns towards ensuring its enormous maritime interests, vessels such as Arnala play a pivotal role in ensuring strategic superiority in the Indian Ocean Region.

A Symbol of Naval Self-Reliance

The commissioning of INS Arnala follows at a moment when India's defence policy is becoming more Aatmanirbhar Bharat-driven. The CDS, speaking in his keynote address, complimented the transformation of the Navy from a "Buyer's Navy" to a "Builder's Navy" and attributed this to the foresight and resilience of the force in driving indigenous design and innovation.

With a score of warships — from frontline capital ships to auxiliaries — presently under construction in Indian yards, the nation is quickly becoming a focal point of naval engineering prowess. From stealth technology and electronic warfare packs to locally developed sensors, Indian warships now compare with the finest in the world for capability and combat-readiness.

Echoes of History, Eyes on the Horizon

Dedicated to the ancient Arnala Fort located off the coast of Maharashtra — a watcher of sea power in its day — INS Arnala forges the spirit of its namesake into the future. This new warship is not merely an addition to India's naval might; it is a floating symbol of Indian ingenuity, industrial prowess, and strategic vision.

As India navigates into the future with its bid for sea supremacy, INS Arnala is a beaming example of what the country can do when it unites tradition, technology, and grit. With the east coast now strengthened by its presence, the Indian Navy is that much closer to its dream of being a blue-water force par excellence — self-sufficient, future-proofed, and unconquerable on the high seas.