The Indian Navy has taken delivery of 'Androth', the second of eight indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWCs) from Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata on September 13, 2025. This step is important right now because it helps boost the Navy's ability to detect and fight submarines in shallow coastal waters, especially with growing threats from China's naval activities in the Indian Ocean and Pakistan's new submarines. It also shows India's progress in making its own defence equipment, cutting down on imports and supporting the Aatmanirbhar Bharat goal.
What is an Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC)?
An ASW SWC is a type of small warship designed mainly to find, track, and destroy submarines in shallow coastal waters, where bigger ships cannot go easily. These crafts help protect India's long coastline by doing tasks like anti-submarine fighting, watching the seas, laying mines, and even search and rescue. They are built to be quiet and hard to spot, so enemies cannot detect them easily. In simple terms, think of them as guards for India's beaches and nearby seas, equipped with special tools to hear and attack underwater threats like enemy submarines.
What is the Background of the ASW SWC Project?
The project started in December 2013 when the government approved buying 16 such ships for ₹13,440 crore to replace old Abhay-class corvettes from the 1980s and 1990s. A tender was issued in 2014 under the 'Buy and Make India' rule to encourage local building. After bidding, GRSE and CSL won contracts in April 2019, each for eight ships at ₹6,311 crore. Building began in December 2020, with the first steel cut then. This fits into India's plan to modernize the Navy and make more weapons at home, especially after lessons from border issues and sea threats.
Why is Androth's Delivery Important for India's Maritime Security?
India has a coastline over 7,500 km long, plus islands like Lakshadweep, where Androth Island is. Ships like Androth help watch these areas against submarines from neighbors like Pakistan, which is getting eight new Hangor-class subs from China, or China's big navy with over 60 submarines. In shallow waters, subs can hide easily, so these crafts use sonar to find them and attack with torpedoes or rockets. This delivery comes when China is increasing patrols in the Indian Ocean, affecting India's trade routes. It makes the Navy stronger without relying on foreign suppliers.
How Does Androth Promote Self-Reliance in Defence?
Androth has more than 80% Indian-made parts, like the water-jet engines from Larsen & Toubro and sensors from DRDO. This reduces India's need to buy from abroad, where it spends billions each year. Under Aatmanirbhar Bharat, started in 2020, the government wants 75% local content in defence buys. Projects like this create jobs in shipyards and help companies like GRSE grow. For example, India now makes its own guns and sonar, which were imported before. This also boosts exports, as India aims for $5 billion in defence sales by 2025.
What Are the Main Features and Capabilities of Androth?
The ship runs on water jets instead of propellers, making it faster and quieter in shallow areas up to 200 nautical miles from shore. Its speed of 25 knots lets it chase subs quickly, and the range means it can stay out for days. Weapons like the RBU-6000 launcher can fire rockets up to 6 km to hit subs, while torpedoes go farther. The sonar listens for sub noises underwater. It can also lay mines to block enemy paths. All this is controlled by an Indian-made computer system that manages fights and ship health.
How Does This Fit into the Indian Navy's Overall Modernization?
The Navy has about 140 ships now, but wants more to become a blue-water force that operates far from home. ASW SWCs join other new additions like Nilgiri-class frigates and Kalvari-class subs. With integrated theatre commands planned, these ships help the Army, Navy, and Air Force work together. They support drones and planes like P-8I for better sub hunting. This is key amid tensions with China in Ladakh and the seas, where India spends ₹4.5 lakh crore on defence in 2025-26.
What Are the Potential Benefits and Challenges?
Benefits include stronger borders, more jobs (shipbuilding employs thousands), and tech growth for other areas like renewables. It saves money on imports and makes India a defence maker. Challenges are delays in building, like some ships running late due to supply issues, or training crews for new tech. Environmentally, shipyards must handle waste carefully. Overall, it helps India aim for top navy status by 2047.
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