Visakhapatnam: The Indian Navy on Monday formally inducted INS Androth, a shallow water anti-submarine warfare vessel designed for operations in coastal zones, further strengthening the country’s maritime defence capabilities.
Commissioned at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam, Androth is the second in a series of Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW-SWC) and has been built with over 80% indigenous components by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata. The ceremony was led by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command.
According to an official statement, the ship’s induction marks a step forward in enhancing India’s ability to detect and neutralise submarine threats in littoral waters. Its design caters specifically to operations in shallow seas along India’s vast coastline, a domain where stealthy underwater threats are becoming increasingly common.
“This commissioning reflects the Navy’s continued push for indigenisation and its growing emphasis on homegrown technology,” the Eastern Naval Command said in a release, adding that the vessel will serve as a key asset in coastal security and underwater surveillance.
The induction of Androth follows the Navy’s recent additions of Arnala, Nistar, Udaygiri, and Nilgiri—all part of India’s larger push for self-reliance in defence under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
With its modern sonar systems, lightweight weaponry, and agility in near-shore waters, Androth is expected to play a critical role in tracking enemy submarines and securing strategic maritime zones.
