INS Anjadip Commissioned: Navy Boosts Coastal Anti-Submarine Power
As the waves touch the shores of Chennai on 27 February 2026, a new guardian will quietly take her place in India’s maritime shield. INS Anjadip, the third vessel of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) project, will be commissioned into the Eastern Naval Command in a ceremony presided over by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff. But Anjadip is more than just a warship. She represents India’s steady march toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing and a stronger naval presence in coastal waters that are vital for national security.Strengthening India’s Coastal DefenceIndia’s coastline stretches over 7,500 kilometres, guarding critical ports, trade routes, naval bases, and coastal communities. In today’s strategic environment, shallow waters and littoral zones are highly sensitive areas where enemy submarines can attempt covert operations. INS Anjadip is specifically designed to dominate this environment. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, the vessel is engineered as a “Dolphin Hunter," a platform dedicated to detecting, tracking, and neutralising enemy submarines in shallow waters. Equipped with the indigenous Hull Mounted Sonar Abhay, lightweight torpedoes, and Anti-Submarine Warfare rockets, Anjadip significantly boosts the Navy’s underwater detection and engagement capabilities. Her induction strengthens security along India’s eastern seaboard, including Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.The Journey from Approval to CommissioningThe story of Anjadip began more than a decade ago. On 23 December 2013, the Defence Acquisition Council approved the procurement of 16 ASW vessels to replace the aging Abhay-class corvettes commissioned between 1989 and 1991. The aim was clear: modernise the fleet with advanced, indigenously built ships capable of operating in shallow waters. In April 2019, the Ministry of Defence signed contracts with GRSE and Cochin Shipyard Limited for eight ships each. The GRSE contract, worth over ₹6,311 crore, set delivery timelines between 2022 and 2026. Anjadip’s keel was laid on 17 June 2022 at Kattupalli Shipyard, under a Public-Private Partnership between GRSE and Larsen & Toubro. She was launched into the Bay of Bengal on 13 June 2023 and delivered to the Navy on 22 December 2025. Now, in February 2026, she formally joins operational service. This timeline reflects not just procurement efficiency but also India’s growing confidence in its domestic shipbuilding ecosystem.Designed for Speed, Agility and PowerINS Anjadip belongs to the Arnala-class of ASW-SWC vessels. With a displacement of about 900 tonnes and a length of 77.6 metres, she is compact yet powerful. Her high-speed water-jet propulsion system allows her to reach speeds of up to 25 knots, enabling rapid response in sensitive coastal zones. The vessel is powered by three marine diesel engines generating around 6 MW of power. She has a maximum range of 1,800 nautical miles at cruising speed, ensuring sustained operations without frequent refuelling. Accommodation onboard includes seven officers and 50 sailors, along with the capacity to carry a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) for boarding or rescue missions. Designed as per the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping, the ship combines operational efficiency with structural safety. What makes Anjadip particularly significant is her indigenous content of over 80 percent. Systems from Bharat Electronics, Mahindra Defence, and Larsen & Toubro underline the collaborative strength of India’s defence industry.A Multi-Role Maritime WarriorWhile anti-submarine warfare is her primary mission, Anjadip is far from a single-role platform. She is capable of Coastal Surveillance, Low-Intensity Maritime Operations, and Search and Rescue missions. Her weapons suite includes the RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launcher, triple 324 mm lightweight torpedo tubes armed with Advanced Light Weight Torpedoes, and mine-laying capability. To counter threats, she carries torpedo decoy launching systems as part of an Integrated Anti-Submarine Warfare Defence Suite. For surface warfare and self-defence, the vessel is equipped with a 30 mm Naval Surface Gun and stabilised remote-controlled machine guns. This layered capability ensures she can operate effectively in both combat and peacetime maritime security roles.The Meaning Behind the NameThe name “Anjadip” carries historical and emotional significance. The ship is named after Anjediva Island, located off the coast of Karwar, Karnataka. The island is strategically important and forms part of INS Kadamba, one of India’s key naval bases. Anjadip also honours her predecessor, a retired Arnala-class corvette. In this way, the name bridges the past and present, linking older generations of sailors to a new era of advanced naval warfare. For the sailors who will serve onboard, Anjadip is not just steel and machinery. She becomes their home at sea—a symbol of duty, pride, and sacrifice. Behind every radar screen and sonar console stands a young officer or sailor entrusted with protecting the nation’s maritime frontiers.A Step Toward Aatmanirbhar BharatThe commissioning of INS Anjadip is also a powerful statement of India’s commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing. From design to construction and systems integration, the project highlights India’s growing ability to build complex warships domestically. The ASW-SWC project reflects the transformation of the Indian Navy into what many describe as a “Builder’s Navy”—one that not only operates powerful ships but also designs and constructs them within the country. As geopolitical competition intensifies in the Indo-Pacific, such capabilities are not merely symbolic. They are strategic necessities.Guarding the Nation’s Maritime FutureIndia’s economy depends heavily on maritime trade. Nearly 90 percent of the country’s trade by volume moves by sea. Protecting sea lanes, ports, and coastal infrastructure is therefore critical. With INS Anjadip joining the fleet, the Indian Navy adds another vigilant sentinel to its coastal shield. Quiet, agile, and technologically advanced, she stands ready to counter underwater threats and safeguard India’s maritime interests. As she sails under the Tricolour for the first time as a commissioned warship, Anjadip embodies more than military strength. She represents national resolve, industrial capability, and the unwavering commitment of the men and women who defend India’s waters, often unseen, but always alert.
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