Kolkata, July 21, 2025 — Marking a historic milestone in indigenous naval shipbuilding, the Indian Navy today launched Yard 3034 ‘Ajay’ — the eighth and final ship under the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) project, at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) facility in Kolkata.
The launch ceremony took place in the presence of Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh, Chief of Materiel (COM), and was performed by Mrs. Priya Deshmukh, upholding longstanding naval traditions. Senior officials from GRSE and the Indian Navy graced the occasion, celebrating the culmination of a vital project aimed at enhancing India’s underwater warfare capabilities.
‘Ajay’: Indigenous Might in Maritime Defense
The ASW SWC ships are designed to operate in coastal waters, capable of detecting and neutralizing undersea threats. ‘Ajay’ is equipped with an advanced Hull Mounted Sonar, Low Frequency Variable Depth Sonar (LFVDS), and a suite of modern weaponry including torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, a NSG-30 gun, and 12.7 mm Stabilised Remote-Controlled Guns (SRCG).
With diesel engines and waterjet propulsion, these vessels ensure high maneuverability in shallow waters. The ships also carry state-of-the-art electronic warfare and communication systems, all developed under India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
Strategic Impact & Aatmanirbhar Bharat
Boasting over 80% indigenous content, the Ajay-class vessels underscore India’s growing self-reliance in defense production. The first ship, INS Arnala, was commissioned on 18 June 2025, and the second is set for delivery in August 2025.
The Ajay-class ASW SWCs will bolster the Indian Navy’s ability to safeguard maritime interests in the Indian Ocean Region, strengthen anti-submarine warfare capacity, and assist in mine-laying operations in littoral zones.
Source: PIB
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