'Amini,' the fourth in a series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) projects built for the Indian Navy by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), was launched on Thursday in Kattupalli, Tamil Nadu. Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani, Chief of Materiel, presided over the launch ceremony.

 

 

 

 

 

In line with nautical custom, Sandeep Naithani's wife, Manju Naithani, launched the ship to an Atharva Vedic incantation.The name 'Amini' refers to the strategic maritime importance of the island of Amini in Lakshadweep, which is located roughly 400 kilometers west of Kochi.

The 77m long ASW SWC ships have a displacement of 900 tons, a top speed of 25 knots, and an endurance of about 1800 nautical miles.

 

 

 

On June 13, 2023, the third ship of the class was launched at L&T, Kattupalli. The launch of four ships of the same class within a year demonstrates our progress toward AatmaNirbhar Bharat, according to a government announcement.

The contract for the construction of eight ASW SWC ships was signed on April 29, 2019, between the MoD and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, according to the statement.

According to the build plan, four ships are being built at GRSE in Kolkata, with the remaining four being subcontracted to L&T Shipbuilding in Kattupalli for hull and part outfitting.The Arnala class of ships will replace the current fleet.

 

The Arnala class of ships will replace the Indian Navy's in-service Abhay class ASW Corvettes and are meant to conduct anti-submarine operations in coastal seas, as well as Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and Mine Laying Operations, according to the announcement.

According to the statement, the first ship in the project is scheduled to be delivered in early 2024.

The ASW SWC ships would have more than 80% indigenous content, guaranteeing that large-scale defense production is carried out by Indian manufacturing facilities, generating jobs and capabilities upgrading inside the nation, according to the statement. 

 

Source: ANI