The launch event of ‘Amini,’ the fourth vessel within the ASW Shallow Water Craft (SWC) Project crafted by M/s GRSE for the Indian Navy, took place November 16, 2023, hosted at M/s L&T, Kattupalli.
Steering the Launch Ceremony was VAdm Sandeep Naithani, Chief of Materiel. Preserving maritime traditions, Manju Naithani christened the ship against the harmonious backdrop of the Atharva Veda. ‘Amini’ signifies not just a ship but carries the weight of strategic maritime importance, echoing the island of Amini in Lakshadweep, and situated 400 km west of Kochi.
A pact between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, inked on April 29, 2019, paved the way for the construction of eight ASW SWC ships. M/s L&T Shipbuilding, Kattupalli, is actively involved, handling hull and part outfitting for four of these ships as per the agreed-upon build strategy. The Arnala-class ships are poised to succeed the existing Abhay-class ASW Corvettes, engineered for anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and Mine Laying Operations.
Measuring 77 meters in length and boasting a displacement of 900 tons, the ASW SWC ships exhibit a maximum speed of 25 knots, coupled with an endurance of approximately 1800 nautical miles. The third sibling of this class gracefully took to the waters on June 13, 2023, at M/s L&T, Kattupalli. This swift succession of launches within a year stands testament to the remarkable progress in indigenous shipbuilding, aligning with the vision of ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat.’ The initial delivery from this project is slated for early 2024, underscoring a commitment to over 80% indigenous content, a pivotal step towards fostering large-scale defense production within the confines of Indian manufacturing units, thereby fortifying employment opportunities and augmenting national capabilities.