Navy gets silent 'killer', indigenous warship to be used in shallow water; what are its features?

National News: The country's leading warship builder, Defence PSU Gardenrich Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd, Kolkata is continuously strengthening the hands of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard in the maritime security of the country by building and supplying state-of-the-art indigenous warships one after the other in record time. In the same sequence, GRSE has registered another milestone by supplying on Saturday the second warship 'INS Androth' of the series of eight anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft being built for the Indian Navy.

IANS Arnala joined the Navy on June 18

The first warship of this series, 'INS Arnala', was delivered by GRSE on May 8 this year and was commissioned into the Navy on June 18. Just four months after this, the second ship has been delivered. This information was given in a statement by GRSE. 'INS Androth' was accepted by Rear Admiral Ravnish Seth, CSO (Tech), Eastern Naval Command (ENC) on behalf of the Indian Navy.

INS Androth Named After Lakshadweep Island

The officer said that this ship has been named after Androth Island located in the Lakshadweep archipelago. This ship has an indigenous 30 mm Naval Surface Gun (NSG) manufactured by GRSE itself. The Indian Navy had ordered 16 Advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC). Out of which eight ships are to be built by GRSE and eight by another Indian shipyard. Out of these eight ships, GRSE has already handed over two ships including Androth to the Navy.

Features of the warship

This ship will strengthen patrolling capabilities in coastal areas where enemy submarines are likely to be hidden, which it will easily detect. This ship is 77.6 meters long and 10.5 meters wide. This ship is capable of surveillance, search and attack in coastal water areas.

The vessel has 88 per cent indigenous content

An official said that these ships of the ASW SWC series are built with about 88 percent indigenous material, which demonstrates GRSE's commitment to self-reliance and Make in India vision of the Government of India. Equipped with combat management systems, this ship will also be equipped with light torpedoes and anti-submarine rockets.

The ship has accommodation for a total of 57 personnel including seven officers. Equipped with three water jets (marine diesel engines), the Androth is extremely agile and maneuverable. A major feature of this ship is that it requires a draft of only 2.7 meters, which allows it to easily reach the coasts in search of dangers below the surface.

GRSE is currently building 13 more warships

Officials said GRSE is currently building 13 more warships, including two P17A advanced stealth frigates, six ASW SWCs, one survey vessel (large) and four next generation offshore patrol vessels. Apart from this, the shipyard is building 26 other ships, nine of which are export platforms. GRSE is also expected to sign a prestigious contract to build five new generation corvettes this financial year. GRSE has so far built 114 warships for the Indian Navy, Coast Guard and friendly foreign countries. This is the highest number of warships built and delivered by any Indian shipyard so far.