Indian Navy receives indigenously built anti-submarine warfare vessel Amini from GRSE

By Aroonim Bhuyan

New Delhi. The Indian Navy has received Amini, the latest indigenously designed and constructed Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), from Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), marking another milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen its maritime defence capabilities through domestic shipbuilding.

The vessel was formally delivered to the Navy on November 5, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Defence. Designed and built by GRSE in accordance with the classification rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), Amini is among the largest Indian naval warships to be propelled by waterjets.

The vessel is equipped with advanced anti-submarine warfare systems, including lightweight torpedoes, indigenous rocket launchers and sonars, enabling it to detect, track and engage underwater threats. Its induction is expected to enhance the Navy’s capabilities in anti-submarine warfare operations, coastal surveillance and mine-laying missions.

The ASW-SWC vessels have been specifically designed to operate in shallow coastal waters, where conventional larger warships may face operational constraints. Their deployment will strengthen the Navy’s ability to monitor and counter underwater threats in India’s coastal maritime zones, adding another layer to the country’s maritime security architecture.

Amini has been named after Amini Island in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep. The name also revives the legacy of the erstwhile INS Amini, a Petya III-class anti-submarine warfare corvette that served in the Indian Navy before being decommissioned in 2002. The naming reflects the Navy’s tradition of retaining and perpetuating the names of distinguished vessels from its history.

The delivery of Amini also underscores the growing role of indigenous shipyards in meeting the Indian Navy’s requirements for advanced warships and specialised naval platforms. With more than 80 per cent indigenous content, the vessel represents a significant contribution to the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) initiative and the broader drive to reduce dependence on imported defence equipment and technologies.

The project highlights the expanding capabilities of India’s domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem, particularly in the design, construction and integration of sophisticated naval platforms and weapon systems.

The delivery of Amini is part of the Indian Navy’s continuing modernisation programme, with a focus on expanding its indigenous fleet and enhancing its ability to safeguard India’s maritime interests, particularly along its extensive coastline and strategically important island territories.