Indian Navy Commissions INS Anjadip, Boosting Anti Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft Fleet

Indian Navy Commissions INS Anjadip To Expand Anti Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft Fleet

The Indian Navy has commissioned INS Anjadip, the third vessel under its Anti Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft program, strengthening coastal defense and submarine hunting capabilities in the eastern seaboard.

The warship was formally inducted into service on 27 February 2026 at Chennai Port under the Eastern Naval Command. The ceremony was presided over by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff.

INS Anjadip is part of an eight ship Anti Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft project designed to enhance India’s ability to detect and neutralize submarines operating in coastal and shallow waters. The program reflects New Delhi’s continued push for indigenous warship construction under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Indigenous Warship Strengthens Coastal ASW Grid

INS Anjadip was constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers in Kolkata, one of India’s leading defense shipyards. The vessel represents a key milestone in the Anti Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft program, which aims to plug operational gaps in littoral submarine detection.

Measuring 77 meters in length, the ship is optimized for operations in shallow waters where conventional frigates and destroyers may face maneuvering constraints. Its primary role is to detect, track, and engage hostile submarines operating close to India’s coastline.

The vessel integrates the Hull Mounted Sonar Abhay, an indigenous sonar system designed to enhance underwater detection in complex acoustic environments. It is also armed with lightweight torpedoes and anti submarine rocket systems, giving it layered engagement capability against submerged threats.

The warship uses a high speed water jet propulsion system, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 25 knots. This configuration improves maneuverability and responsiveness during coastal patrol and rapid interception missions.

Strategic Importance For Eastern Naval Command

The commissioning of INS Anjadip under the Eastern Naval Command is operationally significant. The command oversees naval operations in the Bay of Bengal and parts of the eastern Indian Ocean, areas that have seen increased submarine deployments in recent years.

India faces expanding underwater activity across the Indo Pacific. Open source assessments from the Indian Navy and regional security analysts have highlighted the growing presence of conventional and nuclear powered submarines in the wider region.

In this context, the Anti Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft fleet plays a critical role in coastal defense. These vessels are designed to create a protective ASW layer close to shore, complementing larger platforms such as destroyers, frigates, maritime patrol aircraft, and dedicated ASW corvettes.

INS Anjadip will support maritime security operations covering Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coastal sectors. Its shallow draft and agile profile allow sustained patrols in constrained waters, where smaller submarines may attempt to operate undetected.

Aatmanirbhar Bharat And Naval Modernization

The Anti Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft program is closely aligned with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat defense manufacturing initiative. By relying on indigenous design, domestic shipyards, and locally developed sensors and weapons, the Indian Navy aims to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.

According to official Indian Navy statements, a significant portion of the vessel’s systems are sourced from domestic industry. This includes sonar technology, combat management integration, and propulsion components.

For India, strengthening its coastal ASW capability is not only a tactical priority but also a strategic one. Sea lines of communication in the Indian Ocean remain vital for energy imports and trade flows. Protecting these routes requires layered maritime surveillance and credible deterrence against undersea threats.

The induction of INS Anjadip marks incremental but steady progress in that direction.

Expanding The ASW Shallow Water Craft Fleet

The eight ship Anti Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft project is expected to deliver multiple vessels over the coming years. As more ships join service, the Indian Navy will be able to establish distributed ASW coverage across both eastern and western seaboards.

These vessels are not replacements for major surface combatants. Instead, they fill a specific operational niche. In shallow and congested waters, smaller and purpose built platforms often provide more effective submarine detection than larger blue water warships.

With INS Anjadip now operational, the Indian Navy continues to build a multi layer maritime defense architecture that combines indigenous shipbuilding, sensor development, and operational deployment.