Launch of 'Agray' and 'Akdhay' Fifth and Sixth Ship of ASW SWC (GRSE) Project on 13 Mar 24 at M/s GRSE Kolkata

Agray and Akshay, 5th and 6th ships of 08 x ASW Shallow Water Craft SWC Project being built by M/s GRSE for Indian Navy, were launched on 13 March 2024 at M/s GRSE, Kolkata. The Launch Ceremony was presided by Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari COAS. In keeping with maritime tradition, Mrs Neeta Chaudhari, President AFFWA launched the ships to invocation from Atharva Veda. The ships named after erstwhile Abhay Class Corvettes Agray and Akshay of Indian Navy. The contract for building eight ASW SWC ships was signed between MoD and GRSE, Kolkata on 29 April 2019. Arnala class of ships will replace the in-service Abhay class ASW Corvettes of Indian Navy and are designed to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, Low Intensity Maritime Operations LIMO and Mine Laying Operations. ASW SWC ships are 77.6m long & 105m wide with a displacement of 900 tons and endurance of over 1800NM. In last one year, three indigenously built warships/ submarine for Indian Navy have been delivered and a total of nine warships were launched. The launch of two more ships of the project highlights nation's resolve towards Aatma nirbhar Bharat in shipbuilding. The first ship of the project is planned to be delivered during first half of 2024. ASW SWC ships will have over 80% indigenous content, thereby ensuring that large scale defence production is executed by Indian manufacturing units, generating employment and capability enhancement within the country.