New Delhi: An indigenously built anti-submarine warfare ship has joined the Indian Navy fleet. Its inclusion in the Navy is considered important in view of China’s increasing presence in the Indian Ocean.
Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW-SWC) ‘Androth’ has been built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. According to an official statement, the ship was handed over to the Indian Navy on Saturday. This is another step towards self-reliance in defense manufacturing. ASW SWC ships are being inducted into the Navy to strengthen its anti-submarine and coastal surveillance capabilities.
The name ‘Androth’ has strategic and symbolic significance as it is derived from Androth Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago. It underlines India’s commitment to the security of its vast maritime areas. Officials said that these ships, about 77 meters long, are the largest warships of the Indian Navy, powered by diesel engine-waterjet combination. They are equipped with state-of-the-art, lightweight torpedoes and indigenous anti-submarine warfare rockets.
The Navy said, ‘The delivery of Androth is another milestone in the Indian Navy’s pursuit of indigenous shipbuilding. It upholds the government’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ with more than 80 percent indigenous content and is a testimony to increasing domestic capabilities and reducing dependence on imports.’
Top defense officials, including the CDS as well as the chiefs of the Army, Air Force and Navy, have consistently emphasized the importance of indigeneity or self-reliance in the defense sector. INS Androth is another step towards self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
It is worth noting that two state-of-the-art multi-mission stealth frigates of the Indian Navy – INS Udaygiri and Himgiri – were inducted into the defense fleet in the presence of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh at the Visakhapatnam naval base last month.
