INS Androth – Commissioning of Second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC)
Key Facts
INS Androth is the second ship of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) class.
Built by: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata — a key PSU under Make in India.
Named after: Androth Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago.
Technical and Strategic Role
Designed for anti-submarine warfare operations in coastal and shallow waters.
Equipped with advanced sonar systems, lightweight torpedoes, and modern communication and surveillance equipment.
Can undertake mine-laying, escort duties, and search-and-rescue operations.
Represents the Navy’s shift towards network-centric, multi-domain littoral warfare capability.
Broader Context
Part of the 8-ship ASW-SWC project, enhancing India’s capacity to counter undersea threats near its coastline.
The first ship, INS Arnala, was commissioned earlier — both part of the “Arnala-class” series.
The project aligns with India’s goals under:
Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India)
Make in India in Defence Manufacturing
Maritime Capability Perspective Plan (MCPP)
Significance
Boosts maritime domain awareness (MDA) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability in the Eastern Seaboard.
Strengthens the Indian Navy’s presence in littoral zones, critical for securing sea lanes of communication (SLOCs).
Reflects India’s balanced naval modernisation, following the recent inductions of INS Arnala, INS Nistar, INS Udaygiri, and INS Nilgiri.