India Launches Two New Warships for Coastal Defense and Maritime Security

Defense News ,India :-  In a significant development, two brand-new warships designed for the Indian Navy were unveiled on Wednesday, enhancing capabilities for anti-submarine operations in coastal waters and low-intensity maritime activities. Neeta Chaudhari, the wife of the Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, proudly launched the ships, naming them INS Agray and INS Akshay.

These warships, known as anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW SWC), are constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE). The main purpose of ASW SWC is to carry out anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, engage in low-intensity maritime operations, and conduct mine-laying operations, as explained by a GRSE official.

During the launch ceremony, Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari expressed immense pride in India's capacity to build modern warships, submarines, and aircraft carriers, placing the country among a select group of nations worldwide. He emphasized the importance of sea lanes of communication to global trade and prosperity, noting the recent events in the Red Sea that highlighted threats in the maritime environment.

Highlighting India's commitment to maritime security, Chaudhari mentioned that the Indian Navy is incorporating numerous ships from indigenous shipbuilding industries. The advanced ASW SWC launched on this occasion boasts over 80% indigenous content, with the majority of equipment and systems sourced from domestic manufacturers.

GRSE's Chairman and Managing Director, Commodore P R Hari (Retd), revealed that the Kolkata-based warship builder has delivered a total of 71 warships to the Indian Navy. Currently, the GRSE is working on four projects for the Navy, involving the construction of 18 warships. Hari expressed the company's ambition to become a global leader in warship building, emphasizing the high-quality human resources, world-class infrastructure, and facilities at their disposal.

The two ships unveiled on Wednesday are part of a series of eight ASW SWC being built by GRSE for the Navy. With a length of 77.6 meters and a width of 10.5 meters, these warships can reach maximum speeds of 25 knots. The GRSE official highlighted their formidable anti-submarine armament, including lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets, mines, and guns.