The GRSE-built vessel is tailored for coastal anti-submarine missions and expands India’s eastern seaboard maritime security network, adding sonar, torpedoes, and surveillance muscle.
INS Anjadip, the third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, sails during operations after being commissioned into the Eastern Naval Command. (PIB)
The Indian Navy on Friday inducted Anjadip, the third vessel under its eight-ship Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) programme, strengthening its ability to track and counter underwater threats close to the coastline.
The commissioning took place at Chennai Port, where Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, formally brought the warship into service under the Eastern Naval Command. The induction comes at a time when coastal security and submarine detection in shallow waters are gaining strategic importance.
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Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, the vessel reflects India’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The project is being seen as a marker of growing indigenous capability in designing and constructing frontline warships tailored for India’s maritime needs.
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Unlike large destroyers built for deep seas, Anjadip has been designed specifically for operations closer to shore. These coastal stretches, often crowded and complex, present unique challenges for detecting hostile submarines.
Nicknamed a “Dolphin Hunter”, the vessel is equipped to locate, track and engage submarines operating in shallow waters. It carries an indigenous anti-submarine warfare suite that includes the Hull Mounted Sonar ‘Abhay’, along with lightweight torpedoes and ASW rockets.
At about 77 metres in length, the ships under this class are the largest Indian naval vessels powered by waterjets. They are also fitted with advanced shallow-water sonar systems to detect underwater movement with greater precision.
Beyond submarine-hunting, the ship can undertake coastal surveillance, low-intensity maritime operations, and search and rescue missions. The Navy says its induction will also add to capabilities related to mine-laying and broader coastal defence.
The vessel is named after Anjadip Island, located off the Karwar coast. Officials said its addition strengthens maritime security along India’s eastern seaboard, including the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry region.
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