INS Anjadip commissioned to boost Navy’s anti-submarine strength
The Indian Navy commissioned INS Anjadip in Chennai to strengthen its anti-submarine and coastal defence capabilities. Equipped with advanced indigenous systems, the vessel enhances under-sea warfare readiness and reflects India’s growing self-reliance in defence production
Chennai: The Indian Navy on Friday commissioned INS Anjadip, a warship aimed at augmenting its anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities and coastal surveillance, equipped with state-of-the-art combat features.
Chief of the Naval Staff Dinesh K Tripathi commissioned the ship at the Chennai Port.
This is the third of eight vessels being built under the ASW Shallow Water Craft project. The ship is equipped with an indigenous, cutting-edge ASW weapons and sensor package, including the hull-mounted sonar Abhay, and is armed with lightweight torpedoes and ASW rockets.
The vessel is engineered to act as a “Dolphin Hunter”, focusing on the detection, tracking and neutralisation of enemy submarines in coastal areas.
At the ceremonial induction, Admiral Tripathi formally commissioned the ship in the presence of senior Navy and government officials.
The 77-metre-long vessel features a high-speed water-jet propulsion system, enabling it to achieve a top speed of 25 knots for rapid response and sustained operations.
Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, INS Anjadip is specifically designed to address challenges in the littoral combat environment — coastal and shallow waters vital for national security, the Navy said.
Besides its ASW role, the warship is also equipped for coastal surveillance, low-intensity maritime operations, and search and rescue missions.
The induction of INS Anjadip, named after an island off the coast of Karwar in Karnataka, strengthens the Navy’s capacity to safeguard India’s maritime interests, including along the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast.
In his address, Admiral Tripathi said the Navy plans to induct 15 more ships this year, apart from INS Anjadip.
“During 2025, the Indian Navy commissioned 12 warships and one submarine. This momentum continues with plans to induct about 15 more ships in 2026, setting an unprecedented benchmark,” he said.
He highlighted that Anjadip succeeds the Petya-class corvettes that served the Navy between 1972 and 2003.
Referring to India’s maritime heritage, he recalled the role of Anjadip island during the 1961 liberation of Goa.
The Navy’s focus remains on sharpening under-sea warfare capabilities, particularly in coastal and littoral waters, he said.
“Today’s commissioning marks a substantive strengthening of our under-sea warfare capability, especially along the Eastern Seaboard,” Admiral Tripathi added.
He said the ship reflects India’s growing indigenous defence ecosystem and commitment to Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance).
Highlighting global maritime challenges, he referred to disruptions in the Red Sea and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, which have affected global trade and energy prices.
“In such a complex security environment, the Indian Navy is ensuring the continuity of maritime trade and energy flows,” he said.
“Since October 2023, our deployments in the Red Sea have enabled the safe transit of nearly 400 merchant vessels carrying about 16.5 million metric tonnes of cargo worth over USD 7 billion bound for India,” he added.