Arnala Class: India's Stealth Submarine Hunter For Coastal Defence

INS Arnala boosts India’s coastal defence with stealth sub-hunting tech, countering China and Pakistan’s undersea threats. Here’s why this small warship makes a big impact.

The Arnala class will be a massive strength for India along its coasts.

Source : X@PRO_Vizag

On June 18, 2025, the Indian Navy inducted INS Arnala (P68) — the first vessel in the new Anti‑Submarine Warfare Shallow‑Water Craft (ASW‑SWC) series — at Visakhapatnam's Naval Dockyard under the Eastern Naval Command. This isn't just another warship; it's a game‑changer in safeguarding India's 7,500 km coastline.

Why INS Arnala Matters

Specialised Coastal Protection

Designed to patrol shallow waters (<30 m deep), INS Arnala can detect and destroy miniature submarines and UUVs that larger ships can't reach.

Indigenous and Self‑Reliable

With over 80% Indian-made content, the ship embodies India's push for Aatmanirbhar Bharat, relying on BEL, Mahindra, L&T, and 55 MSMEs.

Modern Tech Powerhouse

The ship is equipped with hull‑mounted sonar, towed variable‑depth sonar, lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets, anti‑torpedo decoys, mine‑laying gear, a 30 mm naval gun, and CMS/IAC integration.

Smart, Stealthy, Strategic

INS Arnala brings stealth to shallow waters — thanks to its sleek hull, low acoustic signature, and advanced combat systems. It enters service as India phases out ageing Abhay‑class corvettes, providing a sharper edge in near‑shore warfare.

Parameter	Details
Class & Type	Arnala-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC)
Length	Approx. 77.6 metres
Displacement	~1,450 to 1,500 tonnes
Propulsion	Diesel engines with water-jet propulsion
Maximum Speed	25 knots (~46 kmph)
Range	1,800 nautical miles (~3,300 km)
Crew Capacity	~57 personnel
Primary Roles	ASW operations; mine-laying; search & rescue (SAR); maritime surveillance
Weapons Systems	Lightweight torpedoes; ASW rockets; 30 mm naval gun; mine-laying gear
Sonar & Sensors	Hull-mounted SoNaR; variable-depth SoNaR; anti-torpedo decoy systems
Combat Management	Integrated CMS with indigenous software
Stealth Capabilities	Low acoustic signature; reduced radar cross-section
Build Origin	Indigenous – built by GRSE; over 80% Indian content
Fleet Plan	16 ships planned (8 by GRSE, 8 by CSL) by 2028
First Ship Commissioned	INS Arnala (P68) – June 18, 2025

Symbol Of Atmanirbhar Bharat

Built under the Make in India ethos by GRSE (with L&T PPP), INS Arnala showcases India's rise from a ‘buyer's navy' to a ‘builder's navy,' locally manufacturing over 98 warships, including vessels like Vikrant and Surat ([en.wikipedia.org][8]).

Further illustrating homegrown strength, the Bokaro Steel Plant supplied 3,100 of the 3,500 tonnes of special-grade steel for this shipbuilding project.

INS Arnala's Strategic Importance In Indian Ocean

It fortifies coastal surveillance and rapid response near ports, chokepoints, and offshore platforms. It contributes to regional deterrence during operations like Sindoor, which restricted adversarial naval activity.

Plans call for eight GRSE-built Arnala-class ships (and eight more at CSL) to be completed by 2028.

INS Arnala is a vital addition to India's maritime defence, especially amid growing underwater threats from China and Pakistan. As China increases its submarine activity in the Indian Ocean and invests in unmanned underwater vehicles, the need for coastal vigilance is greater than ever. Designed for anti-submarine warfare in shallow waters, Arnala fills a critical gap where larger warships fall short. Equipped with advanced sonar, torpedoes, and stealth features, it strengthens India's ability to detect and neutralise threats near ports, naval bases, and chokepoints like the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.

Pakistan's expanding submarine fleet, backed by China and enhanced with air-independent propulsion, poses a direct risk to India's coastal infrastructure and offshore assets. INS Arnala counters this by offering capabilities like mine-laying, surveillance, and precision sub-hunting close to shore. It plays a key role in India's layered coastal defence strategy, serving as the first line of detection and deterrence. In a time when future conflicts may begin underwater, INS Arnala stands as India's silent guardian—small, agile, and strategically indispensable.

INS Arnala may be compact, but it's a technological powerhouse, leveraging local expertise, advanced sensors, and stealth to protect coastal waters in ways no bigger vessel can. It underscores India's evolving defence mindset: fast, local, lethal, and resilient. In today's undersea battleground, having such a defender in shallow waters could be the difference between threat and safety.

What does this mean for you? Imagine unseen threats lurking offshore that large warships can miss — and now having a ship that can chase them down. That's INS Arnala: small but mighty, local yet world-class.