GRSE Launches Final Anti-Submarine Warfare Ship ‘INS Ajay’ and Completes ₹6,311 Cr ASW-SWC Project for Indian Navy.
Defence
To strengthen India’s coastal and underwater maritime defence infrastructure, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Ltd, a Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), recently launched ‘INS Ajay’, the 8th and final ship in the Arnala-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) series, at GRSE’s shipyard in Kolkata, West Bengal.
- INS Ajay was ceremonially launched by Priya Deshmukh, the wife of Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh, who currently serves as the Chief of Materiel (COM) of the Indian Navy. This launch marks the completion of the construction phase of the 8 ASW-SWC ships being built by GRSE under a landmark April 2019 contract with the MoD, valued at ₹6,311 crore.
- The ASW-SWC project was approved to replace the aging Abhay-class corvettes with more modern shallow water anti-submarine patrol vessels. These ships are specially designed for operations in coastal waters and are equipped with high-end sonar systems, lightweight torpedoes, ASW rocket launchers, and Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS) for superior underwater detection and engagement.
- INS Ajay, designated with Pennant Number P34 and Yard Number 3034, is a 77.6-meter-long, 10.5-meter-wide stealth-enabled warship, optimized for full-spectrum underwater surveillance, anti-submarine missions, and coastal patrol duties. It represents a significant boost to India's shallow water combat readiness and coastal security grid.
Main Point :- (i) The lead ship of the series, INS Arnala (P68), was delivered on 8 May 2025 and formally commissioned into the Indian Navy on 18 June 2025. All 8 ships under the MoD-GRSE deal are scheduled for delivery by 2026.
(ii) The complete class of 8 Arnala-class ASW-SWC vessels includes: INS Arnala, INS Anjadip, INS Androth, INS Aminidivi, INS Agray, INS Akshay, INS Mahe, and INS Ajay—all named after strategically important islands in Indian territory.
(iii) This project reinforces India’s push toward Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing and underscores GRSE’s role as a leading warship builder in South Asia with over 100 vessels delivered to Indian and foreign navies.
About Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE)
Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) : PR Hari
Headquarters : Kolkata, West Bengal (WB)
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