The Indian Navy's New Stealthy Sentinels for Shallow Water Warfare

Wars & Conflicts · Published 16 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Hunting submarines in shallow coastal waters requires a delicate balance of stealth and power. India is deploying a new class of Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) designed to replace aging corvettes with advanced pump-jet propulsion and sophisticated sensor suites.

The ASW-SWC project involves the construction of 16 vessels divided into two distinct classes: the Arnala class and the Mahe class. These ships are specifically engineered for littoral zone operations, which include subsurface surveillance, search-and-attack unit missions, and coordinated anti-submarine warfare with naval aircraft. Beyond hunting submarines, they serve secondary roles such as minelaying, search-and-rescue (SAR), and defense against intruding aircraft.

Technologically, these vessels represent a shift toward high-tech stealth and maneuverability. They are the largest warships in the Indian Navy to utilize pump-jet technology, which provides a low acoustic signature. The Arnala class, designed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), was awarded for being the navy's 'most silent ship.' Meanwhile, the Mahe class, built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), incorporates signature management software from Finland-based Surma to enhance combat survivability. Both classes feature reduced radar cross-sections and low infrared signatures.

The sensor suite is a centerpiece of the design, featuring the Abhay compact active hull-mounted sonar. Developed by DRDO's Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory and manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited, this system allows smaller vessels to detect, track, and classify targets—a capability previously limited to larger frigates and destroyers. The ships are armed with a variety of weapons, including RBU-6000 forward-mounted systems, triple 324 mm lightweight torpedo tubes, and Mahindra Defence Systems-supplied torpedo decoy launching systems as part of an Integrated Anti-Submarine Warfare Defence Suite.

The project is a significant industrial undertaking, with the final hull expected by June 2028. The vessels boast over 80% indigenous content, with key components sourced from domestic giants like Bharat Electronics, Mahindra Defence, and Larsen & Toubro. The Arnala class features a displacement of 900 tonnes and a maximum speed of 25 knots, while the Mahe class has a displacement range of 896–1,100 tonnes, both offering a maximum range of 1,800 nautical miles.

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