New Delhi, Mar 13

'Agray' and 'Akshay', the 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 Mar 24 at M/S GRSE, Kolkata. The Launch Ceremony was presided over by Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC, Chief of the Air staff. In keeping with maritime tradition, Mrs Neeta Chaudhari, President AFFWA, launched the ships to the invocation from Atharva Veda. The ships have been rechristened as Agray and Akshay, 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 Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata on 29 Apr 19. 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. The ASW SWC ships are 77.6 m long, 105 m wide, with a draught of 2.7 m, a displacement of 900 tons, maximum speed of 25 knots and endurance of 1800 NM

In the last one year, 03 indigenously built warships/ submarine for Indian Navy have been delivered and a total of 09 warships were launched. The launch of two more ships of the project highlights the nation's resolve towards 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' in shipbuilding. The first ship of the project is planned to be delivered during the first half of 2024. The 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.