119 warships & counting: Kolkata-based GRSE delivers fifth submarine-hunter to Navy

New Delhi witnessed yet another significant milestone in the realm of warship-building as the Kolkata-based defence Public Sector Undertaking, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), delivered Amini, the fifth submarine-hunter among eight ASW-SWC vessels being constructed for the Indian Navy. This delivery places Amini at a significant point in shipbuilding history, as it marks the 119th warship built by GRSE and the 81st one handed over to the Navy.

Designed to operate in coastal waters, Amini possesses the capability to execute extensive sub-surface surveillance, comprehensive search and attack missions, and coordinated anti-submarine warfare operations in conjunction with aircraft. This multi-functional submarine-hunter boasts advanced combat management systems, lightweight torpedoes, and anti-submarine warfare rockets that enable it to detect, track, and engage underwater threats effectively.

Upon its acceptance by Rear Admiral Gautam Marwaha, VSM, CSO (Tech), Headquarters Eastern Naval Command, Amini measures 77.6 meters in length and is powered by marine diesel engines coupled with waterjets. Its shallow draught of 2.7 meters makes it perfectly suited for littoral operations, allowing it to navigate shallow coastal waters and effectively carry out missions aimed at detecting and neutralizing sub-surface threats.

In line with GRSE’s commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat, the ASW-SWCs are built with an impressive 88% indigenous content and feature a 30mm naval surface gun manufactured by GRSE itself. This highlights the shipyard’s significant contribution towards the development and integration of indigenous defence technologies.

At present, GRSE is spearheading the construction of 13 frontline naval platforms, which include one Project 17A advanced stealth frigate, three ASW-SWCs, four next-generation offshore patrol vessels, and five next-generation corvettes. Additionally, the shipyard is simultaneously constructing 36 other vessels, including 13 export platforms.

This impressive order book underscores GRSE's pivotal role in ensuring India's maritime security, bolstering indigenous defence manufacturing, and enhancing the shipbuilding capabilities of the country.

Earlier this year, on March 30, GRSE achieved a historic milestone by delivering three frontline naval platforms - Dunagiri, Sanshodhak, and Agray - to the Indian Navy on the same day.