Source: IT
Context: The Indian Navy will commission INS Arnala, the first of the 16 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW-SWC) at Visakhapatnam.
About INS Arnala:
- What is INS Arnala?
-
- INS Arnala is the first indigenously-built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) ship.
- It will enhance India’s capabilities in coastal surveillance, mine-laying, and sub-surface operations.
- Built By: Designed and constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata in partnership with L&T Shipbuilders.
- Operational Region:
-
- Designed for coastal waters and the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
- It supports Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), Search and Rescue (SAR), and Subsurface Surveillance.
- Key Features of INS Arnala:
-
- Length: 77.6 meters, Displacement: 1490+ tonnes, Speed: Up to 25 knots, Endurance: 1800 nautical miles (~3300 km).
- First Indian naval warship powered by Diesel Engine–Waterjet combination.
- Integrates 80% indigenous systems from BEL, Mahindra Defence, MEIL, and L&T.
- Supports AI-driven combat systems, sonar arrays, and mine-laying gear.
About Arnala Fort:
- Located in: Arnala village, Vasai taluka, Maharashtra, near Mumbai’s northern coast.
- Also known as Jaldurg or Janjire Arnala, it is surrounded by sea waters.
- Historical Significance:
-
- Originally built by Sultan Mahmud Begda in 1516.
- Captured and ruled by Portuguese, Marathas, Mughals, and Peshwas over time.
- Architectural Features:
-
- Rectangular fort structure, three main entrances, and bastions on the north.
- Houses temples like Tryambakeshwar, Bhavani Mata, Kalika Mata, and Mahadev.
- Though food is scarce on the fort, water is available in wells, showcasing sustainable coastal defence design.
