Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd launched the eighth and final Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) for the Indian Navy on July 21, 2025. The vessel, named Ajay, marks the completion of the ASW SWC series contracted to GRSE.
The launch ceremony took place at GRSE’s facility in Kolkata and was attended by senior officials from the Indian Navy and GRSE. Ajay was ceremonially launched by Priya Deshmukh, spouse of Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh, who was also present at the event.
Ajay follows the launch of the seventh vessel, Abhay, which entered the water less than nine months earlier. The first ship of the class, INS Arnala, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on June 18, 2025. The second ship, Androth, has completed contractor sea trials and is ready for delivery, according to GRSE.
Designed for anti-submarine warfare in shallow waters, these vessels measure 77.6 metres in length and 10.5 metres in beam. They are built for operations in low-draught coastal regions and are also capable of conducting Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and mine-laying missions. The ships support sub-surface surveillance and surface engagement tasks and can operate in coordination with naval aircraft.
The ASW SWCs are equipped with a range of weapons and sensors, including lightweight torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, naval mines, 30 mm Close-In Weapon Systems (CIWS), and 12.7 mm Stabilised Remote-Control Guns. For underwater detection, the vessels are fitted with a Hull Mounted Sonar and a Low-Frequency Variable Depth Sonar.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh noted that GRSE has delivered more than 110 warships to the Indian Navy and Coast Guard.
Based in Kolkata, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd is a defence public sector undertaking (DPSU) that designs and builds naval and commercial vessels. It has supplied a variety of platforms, including frigates, corvettes, landing craft, and survey vessels, to Indian maritime forces.
