Historic launch: GRSE rolls out final ASW SWC 'Ajay'

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) launched Ajay, the eighth and final Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) being built for the Indian Navy. The launch ceremony was held at GRSE’s shipbuilding facility in Kolkata and was officiated by Smt Priya Deshmukh, wife of Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh, AVSM, VSM, Chief of Materiel, Indian Navy. Vice Admiral Deshmukh attended as the chief guest. Senior officials including Cmde P R Hari, IN (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director, GRSE; Cdr Shantanu Bose, IN (Retd), Director (Shipbuilding); and Shri Abhishek Ranjan, IOFS, CVO, were also present.

The launch of Ajay carries historical significance as it shares its name with INS Ajay, India’s first indigenous warship, which was delivered by GRSE in 1961. GRSE launched this new Ajay less than nine months after the launch of the seventh vessel in the series, Abhay. The lead ship, INS Arnala, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on June 18, 2025, while the second ship, Androth, has successfully completed its contractor sea trials and is ready for delivery.

The ASW SWCs are 77.6 metres long and 10.5 metres wide, designed for anti-submarine warfare in coastal waters. Their low draught enables effective operations in shallow waters. These ships are equipped for sub-surface surveillance, mine-laying, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and coordination with aircraft for anti-submarine operations. Each vessel carries lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets, and naval mines, in addition to 30 mm Close-in Weapons System and 12.7 mm Stabilised Remote-Control Guns. They are fitted with both hull-mounted sonar and a low-frequency variable depth sonar for underwater surveillance.

Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh said, “Commissioning of Arnala, the first of the class last month and the second one inching towards delivery now, reinforces GRSE’s strong partnership with the Indian Navy, the Indian industry and quest to become a modern blue water Navy.” He added that GRSE has delivered more than 110 warships and continues to build projects including P-17A frigates, survey vessels, NGOPVs, and various special-class ships, making it a versatile shipyard in the country.

GRSE Chairman and Managing Director Cmde P R Hari (Retd) stated, “With 16 warships under construction for the Indian Navy and many more orders for warships expected, I am confident of GRSE delivering a Century of Warships to Indian Navy within a decade.” GRSE, a Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, has built 111 warships and over 800 platforms since its establishment. It is the only Indian shipbuilder with four distinct shipyards and has exported warships to countries such as Mauritius, Seychelles, and Guyana.