Indian Navy Set to Induct INS Androth at Visakhapatnam on October 6

The Indian Navy is poised to commission INS Androth, the second ship of the Arnala-class corvettes, at Visakhapatnam Naval Dockyard on October 6. This marks another leap forward in India’s efforts to strengthen its anti-submarine warfare capabilities in coastal waters.

After the induction of INS Arnala in June 2025, the commissioning of INS Androth will bring the Navy closer to its goal of operating 16 advanced anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW-SWC). These vessels are specially designed for operations in littoral zones—the coastal areas where larger warships often struggle to operate effectively.

The ceremony will be presided over by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.

What Makes INS Androth Special

• High Indigenous Content: The ship is built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, with over 80 % domestic components—a strong stride in India’s quest for self-reliance.

• Modern Propulsion: It is powered by a diesel engine–waterjet system, enabling agile manoeuvres in shallow waters.

• Dimensions & Range: The vessel is about 77.6 meters long, displaces around 900 tonnes, and can operate up to 1,800 nautical miles at cruising speeds.

• Weapons & Sensors:
    • A forward RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launcher
    • Twin triple 324 mm lightweight torpedo tubes
    • Anti-torpedo decoy launchers
    • Hull-mounted and variable-depth sonar systems to detect, track, and classify underwater threats

• Versatile Roles: While its main mission is submarine hunting in shallow seas, it can also conduct surveillance, mine laying, search & rescue, and coastal defence tasks.

Strategic Significance

The induction of INS Androth comes at a time when submarine proliferation is increasing in the Indian Ocean Region. Countries like China and Pakistan are expanding underwater fleets, making it imperative for India to bolster its undersea vigilance.

These Arnala-class ships are intended to replace the aging Abhay-class corvettes and plug gaps in India’s coastal defence shield. The new vessels, built under a public–private partnership, also support the “Make in India” vision by involving many Indian firms across the supply chain.

With INS Androth joining the fleet, India strengthens its frontline in underwater warfare—guarding coastlines, protecting strategic assets, and ensuring safer seas for its naval forces.