INDIAN NAVY TO COMMISSION ANJADIP

1. At a Glance

• Anjadip is the third ship of the indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) project — an eight-ship class built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata [S1][S2].
• Commissioned into the Eastern Naval Command at Chennai Port on 27 Feb 2026, ceremony presided by Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, CNS [S1].
• Showcases 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' in defence shipbuilding with >80% indigenous content and a GRSE–L&T Kattupalli Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model [S2][S3].
• Relevance: GS-III (defence indigenisation, internal security), Prelims (defence platforms, ship-classes).

2. Why in the News

• PIB release dated 23 Feb 2026 announced commissioning of Anjadip on 27 Feb 2026 at Chennai Port into Eastern Naval Command [S1].
• Follows commissioning of INS Arnala (first) and INS Androth (second) of the same class earlier in the series [S4][S5].

3. Background & Evolution

• 2019: MoD contract signed with GRSE for eight ASW-SWC vessels to replace ageing Abhay-class corvettes [S2].
• Build model: GRSE Kolkata builds 4; remaining 4 built under PPP with L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli (Tamil Nadu) as per Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) rules [S2].
• 13 Jun 2023: Anjadip launched at L&T Kattupalli; keel of 7th ship laid same day [S6].
• 22 Dec 2025: Anjadip delivered to Indian Navy at Chennai [S2].
• 27 Feb 2026: Commissioned at Chennai Port [S1].
• Named after Anjadip Island (off Karwar coast, Karnataka) — continuing the practice of naming the class after Indian islands (Arnala, Androth, Anjadip, Agray, Akshay, Abhay, Ajay, Atulya).

4. Core Static Facts

• Project: ASW-SWC (Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft), 8 ships [S1].
• Builder: GRSE Kolkata (with L&T Kattupalli under PPP) [S2].
• Ministry: Ministry of Defence (Department of Defence Production / Indian Navy) [S1].
• Length: 77 m; Displacement: ~1,400 tonnes [S3].
• Top speed: 25 knots; Propulsion: high-speed Water-Jet [S2].
• Sensors: indigenous Hull-Mounted Sonar 'Abhay' + Combat Management System [S3].
• Armament: Lightweight Torpedoes + ASW Rockets [S3].
• Indigenous content: >80%; uses SAIL DMR steel [S3][S7].
• Command: Eastern Naval Command; Base port: Chennai (commissioning venue) [S1].
• Classification rules: Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) [S2].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Strategic / Security - Plugs a critical gap in littoral / shallow-water ASW, where larger destroyers/frigates are unsuited; counters diesel-electric submarines and midget subs in coastal waters [S1][S3]. - Bolsters Eastern Naval Command facing the Bay of Bengal–Indo-Pacific theatre amid growing PLA-Navy submarine activity in the IOR [S1].

Economic / Indigenisation - >80% indigenous content supports the Aatmanirbhar Bharat & Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP) 2020 trajectory [S3]. - Uses DMR-grade steel by SAIL, deepening domestic warship-grade steel ecosystem [S7].

Administrative / Governance - PPP shipbuilding (GRSE + L&T Kattupalli) demonstrates capacity sharing between Defence PSU and private yard — a template for future naval orders [S2].

Scientific / Technological - Embarks indigenous Hull-Mounted Sonar 'Abhay' (developed by DRDO–NPOL); integrated CMS for sub-surface threat fusion [S3]. - Water-jet propulsion enables shallow-draught operations close to coast [S2].

6. Recent Developments (last 12–18 months)

• 18 Jun 2025: INS Arnala (1st) commissioned [S4].
• 2025: INS Androth (2nd) commissioned [S5].
• 22 Dec 2025: Anjadip delivered at Chennai [S2].
• 23 Feb 2026: PIB announcement of commissioning [S1].
• 27 Feb 2026: Anjadip (3rd) commissioned at Chennai [S1].
• Agray (4th) delivered to Navy by GRSE [S8].

7. Prelims Hooks

• Anjadip is the 3rd of 8 ASW-SWC ships [S1].
• Built by GRSE Kolkata, with L&T Kattupalli (Tamil Nadu) as PPP partner [S2].
• Commissioned at Chennai Port on 27 Feb 2026 into Eastern Naval Command [S1].
• Ceremony presided by Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff [S1].
• Length 77 m, displacement ~1,400 tonnes, top speed 25 knots [S2][S3].
• Propulsion: Water-Jet (not gas-turbine, not conventional propeller-shaft) [S2].
• Primary sensor: Hull-Mounted Sonar 'Abhay' (DRDO-NPOL origin) [S3].
• Armament: Lightweight Torpedoes + ASW Rockets (no anti-ship missiles) [S3].
• Indigenous content >80%; hull steel from SAIL [S3][S7].
• Classed as per Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) rules [S2].
• Sister ships in class (selected): Arnala, Androth, Anjadip, Agray, Akshay, Abhay, Ajay, Atulya — named after Indian islands [S4][S5][S8].
• Anjadip Island lies off Karwar (Karnataka) coast.

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-III — Security: "Indigenisation of defence technology"; "Security challenges in maritime domain".
• GS-III — Economy: "Defence manufacturing and PPP".
• Question stems: 1. "Indigenous shallow-water ASW platforms like the ASW-SWC class are critical to coastal sub-surface defence. Discuss." 2. "PPP models in defence shipbuilding can accelerate naval modernisation. Examine with reference to the ASW-SWC project." 3. "Evaluate the role of DRDO-developed sensors (e.g., Abhay sonar) in achieving Aatmanirbhar Bharat in naval warfare."

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• Project 17A (Nilgiri-class frigates) — parallel indigenous frontline shipbuilding.
• Project 75/75I submarines (Scorpene, Kalvari-class) — sub-surface counterpart.
• DRDO-NPOL — naval sonar systems (Abhay, Humsa-NG, USHUS).
• Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence / DPEPP 2020 — policy frame.
• SAGAR doctrine & Indo-Pacific maritime strategy — operational rationale.
• Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) — classification society.
• Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) — Defence PSU profile.
• Eastern Naval Command (Visakhapatnam HQ) — area of responsibility.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Class size = 8, not 16 (confusion with broader naval orders).
• Anjadip is the 3rd ship — not 2nd (Androth) or 4th (Agray).
• Built by GRSE (Kolkata DPSU), not Mazagon Dock or Cochin Shipyard; L&T is PPP partner, not prime.
• Commissioned at Chennai into Eastern Naval Command, not Western Command.
• Carries torpedoes + ASW rockets, not anti-ship cruise missiles (BrahMos).
• Sonar 'Abhay' ≠ Abhay-class corvette (which is being replaced by ASW-SWC class).

11. Sources

• [S1] Indian Navy to Commission Anjadip — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2231754 — (Tier 1)
• [S2] Delivery of 'Anjadip' – Third ASW-SWC to Indian Navy — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2207446&reg=3&lang=1 — (Tier 1)
• [S3] Commissioning of INS Anjadip at Chennai — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2233666&reg=3&lang=2 — (Tier 1)
• [S4] Indian Navy Set to Commission 'Arnala', First in ASW-SWC Series — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2134607&reg=3&lang=2 — (Tier 1)
• [S5] Indian Navy Set to Commission 'Androth', Second in ASW-SWC Series — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2170171&reg=3&lang=2 — (Tier 1)
• [S6] Launch of 'Anjadip' & Keel Laying of 7th Ship of ASW-SWC at L&T Kattupalli, 13 Jun 23 — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1932044 — (Tier 1)
• [S7] INS Anjadip — built with indigenous SAIL steel — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2233347&reg=3&lang=2 — (Tier 1)
• [S8] Delivery of Agray – Fourth ASW-SWC by GRSE — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2247087&reg=3&lang=1 — (Tier 1)