Context:
The Indian Navy has received INS Agray, the fourth Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), enhancing coastal defence capabilities.
Key Highlights:
- About Agray (ASW SWC):
- Fourth of eight ASW Shallow Water Crafts
- Indigenously designed and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata
- Named after the earlier INS Agray (decommissioned in 2017)
- Design & Standards:
- Built as per Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) standards
- Focus on shallow water anti-submarine operations
- Key Features:
Propulsion:
- Uses waterjet propulsion
- Among the largest Indian naval warships using this technology
Armaments & Systems:
- Equipped with lightweight torpedoes
- Indigenous rocket launchers
- Advanced shallow water SONAR systems
- Capabilities:
- Effective submarine detection in coastal/shallow waters
- Supports mine warfare operations
- Enhances coastal surveillance and maritime security
- Significance:
- Strengthens India’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capability
- Boosts indigenisation in defence manufacturing
- Critical for littoral security and safeguarding sea lanes
Relevant Prelims Points:
- GRSE, Kolkata → Key defence shipbuilding PSU
- ASW SWC → Designed for shallow water submarine detection
- Waterjet propulsion vs conventional propellers
- Role of SONAR in submarine detection
- Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) → classification authority
Relevant Mains Points:
- Importance of maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
- Need for coastal defence systems against submarine threats
- Role of indigenous defence production (Atmanirbhar Bharat)
- Strategic importance of anti-submarine warfare in modern naval strategy
- Way Forward:
- Accelerate indigenous naval shipbuilding programs
- Enhance integration of advanced sensors and AI-based detection
- Strengthen joint maritime domain awareness
- Expand ASW capabilities across naval fleets
UPSC Relevance:
- Prelims: Defence platforms, shipbuilding, propulsion systems
- Mains: GS III – Defence, Maritime Security, Indigenisation