‘Amini’: Arnala Class Ship for Indian Navy

November 17, 2023

Recently, the latest addition to the Indian Navy’s fleet, ‘Amini,’ an Arnala class ship, was launched at L&T Shipbuilding’s facility in Kattupalli, Tamil Nadu.

Purpose and Design

Amini, the fourth in the series of 08 x ASW Shallow Water Craft (SWC) projects, is a creation of the state-owned Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE). This ship is specifically designed for anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, as well as low intensity maritime operations (LIMO) and mine laying operations.

Role and Capabilities

According to a Navy spokesperson, Amini is equipped to handle anti-submarine activities along coastal regions, showcasing its versatility in both defensive and offensive maritime operations.

Launch Ceremony Highlights

Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani, Chief of Materiel, presided over the launch ceremony. The ship was officially launched by his wife, Manju Naithani, with an invocation from Atharva Veda. The choice of the ship’s name, ‘Amini,’ holds significance, signifying the strategic maritime importance attributed to the island of Amini at Lakshadweep, situated approximately 400 km west of Kochi.

Project Details and Build Strategy

The contract for constructing eight ASW SWC ships was inked between the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and GRSE, a Kolkata-based shipbuilder, on April 29, 2019. The build strategy involves four ships being constructed at GRSE, while the remaining are sub-contracted to L&T Shipbuilding for hull and part outfitting.

Fleet Replacement

A notable aspect of the Arnala class ships is their role in replacing the in-service Abhay class ASW Corvettes currently deployed by the Indian Navy. This transition reflects advancements in naval technology and strategic requirements for modern maritime defense.

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