Anjadip, the 3rd of eight ships of ASW Shallow Water Craft SWC Project being built by M/s GRSE for Indian Navy was launched on 13 June 2023 at M/s LandT, Kattupalli. The Launch Ceremony was presided over by VAdm R B Pandit, CINC SFC. In keeping with naval maritime tradition, Smt Priya Pandit launched the ship to chanting of invocation from Atharva Veda. The ship has been named Anjadip that signifies strategic Maritime importance accorded to island of Anjadip, located off Karwar. On completion of event VAdm R B Pandit also laid keel for 7th ASW SWC ship. The contract for building eight ASW SWC ships was signed between MoD and GRSE, Kolkata on 29 April 2019. As per build strategy, four ships are being built at GRSE, Kolkata and construction of balance four ships has been sub-contracted to M/s L and T Shipbuilding, Kattupalli. Arnala class of ships will replace in-service Abhay class ASW Corvettes of Indian Navy and are designed to undertake anti-submarine Operations in coastal waters, LIMO, and Mine Laying operations including subsurface surveillance in littoral waters. The 77 m long ASW SWC ships have a displacement of 900 tons with a maximum speed of 25 knots and endurance of 1800 NM. Launch of three ships of same class in a span of six months reinforces our resolve towards Indigenous shipbuilding as part of Government’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The first ship of the project is planned to be delivered to Indian Navy by December 2023. The ASW SWC ships will have over 80% indigenous content, thereby ensuring that large scale defence production is executed by Indian manufacturing units, generating employment and capability enhancement within country.
