INS Androth Commissioned, Strengthening India’s Coastal Defence
The Indian Navy has strengthened its coastal defence capabilities with the commissioning of INS Androth, the second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam on Monday.
Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, presided over the ceremony and highlighted the strategic importance of indigenously built warships in enhancing India’s maritime security. He congratulated the Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) team and the ship’s crew for their dedication and timely completion of the vessel.
Built under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, INS Androth features more than 80% indigenous content, showcasing India’s progress toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Designed and constructed by GRSE, Kolkata, the vessel reflects the Navy’s focus on innovation and homegrown technology.
Spanning 77 metres and displacing 1,500 tonnes, INS Androth is equipped with advanced sensors, weapons, and communication systems capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralising underwater threats. Its shallow-water design makes it ideal for operations in coastal zones.
Powered by three waterjet propulsion systems driven by marine diesel engines, the ship is fast, agile, and highly manoeuvrable. In addition to anti-submarine warfare, it can carry out maritime surveillance, search and rescue, coastal defence, and low-intensity missions, making it a versatile platform for littoral operations.
Named after Androth, the northernmost island in the Lakshadweep group, the vessel honours a region of significant maritime importance.
With the induction of INS Androth, the Navy has taken another step toward building a modern, self-reliant fleet capable of safeguarding India’s maritime interests and ensuring stability in the Indian Ocean Region.
After the ceremony, Vice Admiral Pendharkar toured the ship, reviewed its systems, and interacted with the commissioning crew and GRSE officials, commending their contribution to India’s naval strength.