Indian Navy to Commission Advanced ASW Craft INS Androth in Visakhapatnam

The Indian Navy will commission its second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), Androth, at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam on October 6. Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, will lead the ceremony, marking the formal induction of the second of sixteen such vessels into the Navy’s fleet.

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE), Kolkata, built Androth, reflecting India’s push for Aatmanirbharta in defence. More than 80 per cent of its components come from Indian manufacturers. The Directorate of Ship Production guided the construction, while the Warship Overseeing Team in Kolkata supervised the work.

The Navy received Androth on September 13, 2025. The ship carries advanced weapons and sensor systems, modern communication suites, and water jet propulsion. These features allow it to detect, track, and neutralise underwater threats. In addition, it can perform maritime surveillance, search and rescue operations, and coastal defence missions.

The Navy named the ship after Androth Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago, highlighting India’s commitment to safeguarding its maritime territories. The vessel also continues the legacy of the earlier INS Androth (P69), which served for more than 27 years before decommissioning.

Commissioning Androth strengthens India’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities and demonstrates the country’s growing self-reliance in designing and building advanced warships.