The Indian Navy has further strengthened its anti-submarine capabilities with the commissioning of INS Androth, the second vessel in the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) series. The warship was formally inducted during a ceremony at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam, marking another milestone in India’s indigenous shipbuilding programme.
Developed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) under a contract for eight such vessels, INS Androth is designed to operate close to the coastline where conventional larger warships may be less effective. The craft is fitted with state-of-the-art sonar arrays, fire control systems, lightweight torpedoes, and depth charge projectors, enabling it to track and eliminate stealthy submarine threats.
Beyond anti-submarine missions, INS Androth is versatile enough to support mine-laying operations, coastal surveillance, low-intensity maritime combat, and humanitarian assistance tasks. Its compact build and advanced propulsion allow rapid maneuvering in shallow waters, making it ideal for operations in strategic chokepoints and island territories.
Senior naval officials emphasized that the vessel represents over 80% indigenous content, reflecting the success of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision in defence manufacturing. With rising maritime competition in the Indian Ocean Region, the deployment of INS Androth is expected to substantially enhance persistent underwater monitoring and deterrence along India’s maritime borders.
The remaining ships of the ASW-SWC class are currently in various stages of construction and will be inducted in a phased manner.
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