Indian Navy Set to Commission ‘Androth’, Second in ASW-SWC Series

IN NEWS – Indian Navy Set to Commission ‘Androth’, Second in ASW-SWC Series

Analysis

1. About the Event:
   • The Indian Navy is set to commission its second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), Androth, at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on 06 October 2025.
   • The commissioning ceremony will be presided over by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.
   • This event marks the formal induction of the second ship in the 16-vessel ASW-SWC series being developed for the Indian Navy.
2. Builder and Indigenous Efforts:
   • Androth has been built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd., Kolkata, under the guidance of the Directorate of Ship Production and the Warship Overseeing Team, Kolkata.
   • The ship features over 80% indigenous components, highlighting India’s commitment to Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence manufacturing.
   • The vessel was handed over to the Indian Navy on 13 September 2025.
3. Significance of the Name ‘Androth’:
   • The name is derived from Androth Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago, reflecting India’s strategic intent to protect its vast maritime boundaries.
   • It also revives the legacy of the earlier INS Androth (P69), which served the nation for over 27 years before being decommissioned.
4. Technological Capabilities:
   • Androth is equipped with advanced weapon and sensor suites, modern communication systems, and waterjet propulsion technology.
   • These enable it to perform:
     • Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations,
     • Maritime surveillance,
     • Search and Rescue (SAR) missions, and
     • Coastal defence roles.
   • Its design allows detection, tracking, and neutralisation of underwater threats with high precision.
5. Strategic Importance:
   • The commissioning strengthens India’s maritime security architecture in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
   • It also demonstrates India’s growing shipbuilding capabilities and supports the Make in India initiative.
   • The vessel enhances operational readiness for both coastal and shallow-water operations, crucial in countering submarine threats close to the Indian coastline.

Static / Background Information

• ASW-SWC (Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft):
  These are specialised naval vessels designed to operate in coastal and shallow waters for detecting and countering submarine threats.
• Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE):
  A premier warship-building company based in Kolkata, GRSE has delivered several classes of warships to the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.
• Aatmanirbharta in Defence:
  The Government of India’s initiative to enhance indigenous defence production and reduce import dependency in the strategic defence sector.
• Lakshadweep Islands:
  A group of islands off India’s southwestern coast in the Arabian Sea, crucial for India’s maritime security and EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) management.

Updated – 23 Sep 2025 ; 5:34 PM | PIB

News Source:PIB Press Release