Navy to commission ‘dolphin hunter’ INS Anjadip, boosting coastal defence

The Indian Navy is set to commission INS Anjadip, an advanced anti-submarine warfare vessel dubbed a “dolphin hunter”, in Chennai. The warship is the third of eight ships being built under the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) project aimed at strengthening coastal defence.

Constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, the 77-metre-long vessel is designed to operate in complex littoral environments, including shallow and coastal waters that are crucial to India’s maritime security. It is powered by a high-speed water-jet propulsion system and can reach speeds of up to 25 knots, enabling swift response along the coastline.

The ship is equipped with an indigenous anti-submarine warfare weapons and sensor suite, including the hull-mounted sonar ‘Abhay’, lightweight torpedoes and anti-submarine rockets. Its primary role is to detect, track and neutralise enemy submarines operating close to shore.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi is scheduled to preside over the commissioning ceremony. Named after Anjadip Island off the Karwar coast, the induction of INS Anjadip is expected to enhance the Navy’s capability to safeguard India’s maritime interests, particularly along the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts.