Kolkata: The Indian Navy on Monday launched Yard 3034 (Ajay), the eighth and final ship of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC). The ship will be indigenously designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE). The vessel was launched in the presence of Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh, Chief of Materiel (COM), in Kolkata.
In keeping with naval tradition, Priya Deshmukh launched the ship. Senior officials from the Indian Navy and GRSE were also present at the event.
The first ship of the class, INS Arnala, was commissioned on June 18, 2025, and the delivery of the second ship is planned for August 2025.
“The warship will augment the Indian Navy’s underwater domain awareness, anti-submarine warfare, and mine-laying capabilities. The ship is equipped with role-defining sensors such as a hull-mounted sonar and low frequency variable depth sonar (LFVDS) and firepower provided by state-of-the-art torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, the NSG-30 gun, and the 12.7 mm SRCG. The ship is powered by diesel engines and propelled by waterjets,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement.
Eighty percent of the INS Ajay’s content will be indigenous, in line with India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives.
“The launch of Ajay is a significant milestone in the Indian Navy’s continued quest for self-reliance in shipbuilding, weapons, sensors, and advanced communication and electronic warfare systems. With indigenous content of over 80%, the ship exemplifies the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives and will provide significant capabilities to secure our national maritime interests in the Indian Ocean Region,” the ministry added.
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