Indian Navy launches shallow water anti-submarine warship in Kolkata

The Indian Navy on launched another anti-submarine warfare shallow water vessel (ASWSWC) - the second in a series of eight indigenous ships built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) at the Kidderpore Shipyard on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, the ship made its first water contact and headed to an outfitting pier where it will be outfitted with weapons, machinery and sensors before it can be commissioned next year.

Vice Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command was the chief guest on the occasion as the ship named INS Androth was christened and launched by his wife Shashi Tripathi. Former Indian cricketer Arun Lal was the guest of honor at the ceremony which was attended by other dignitaries like Chairman GRSE and MD, CMDE PR Hari; Navy Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh and others.

GRSE is building eight ASWSWCs for the Indian Navy and these "Silent Hunters" will, upon delivery, be an effective force multiplier to enhance the Indian Navy's ability to detect enemy submarines in coastal waters.

Powered by three diesel-powered water jets, these 77.6 meter long and 10.5 meter wide vessels will be sensational as they will be capable of full subsurface surveillance of coastal waters as well as search and attack. The ship is capable of a maximum speed of 25 knots and will carry light torpedoes, ASW missiles and mines, a close-in weapon system (30mm cannon) and 16.7 stabilized remote-controlled guns.