India Launches Submarine-Killer "Androth", Will Deny Access To Enemy Submarines In Indian Waters

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) have launched the second ship ‘Androth’, of the eight antisubmarine warfare-shallow water craft (ASW-SWC) vessel ordered by the Indian Navy in 2019.

This ship belongs to the Arnala class shallow watercraft (SWC), which will replace older Abhay class corvettes of the Indian Navy.

The Arnoth is 77.6 m long, weighs 900 tonnes and is capable of low-intensity maritime operations and mine laying operations, including subsurface surveillance in littoral waters with a maximum speed of 25 knots.

The ship has been named Androth to signify the strategic maritime importance accorded to the island of Androth, located about 170 nautical miles north-west of Kochi, in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep.

The ship will use a Made-in-India hull-mounted sonar, built specifically for ASW-SWCs, and will have over 80 per cent indigenous content generating jobs and expertise in the local industry.

The Indian Navy had earlier given orders — eight ASW-SWC from GRSE and another eight from Cochin Shipyard Limited — for a total of 16 ships.