INS Agray: Made-in-India warship built to hunt submarines

INS Agray is one of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) being inducted into the Indian Navy to strengthen its ability to detect and neutralise underwater threats in coastal waters.Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) with more than 80% indigenous content, the warship is part of the Navy's broader effort to replace the ageing Abhay-class anti-submarine corvettes.

Agray itself carries forward a legacy name, having been named after the erstwhile INS Agray, an Abhay-class vessel that was decommissioned in 2017.Measuring about 77.6 metres in length and displacing around 900 tonnes, INS Agray has been designed for operations in shallow waters, where detecting submarines is often more challenging.

One of its distinguishing features is its waterjet propulsion system, making it among the largest Indian naval warships to use the technology. Waterjets provide greater manoeuvrability in coastal waters and are well-suited for anti-submarine missions.The ship is equipped with lightweight torpedoes, indigenous rocket launchers and shallow-water sonar systems that enable it to detect, track and engage hostile submarines.

Apart from anti-submarine warfare, it can also undertake coastal surveillance, mine-laying missions and low-intensity maritime operations.The project is also significant from an indigenous manufacturing perspective. Built with more than 80% indigenous content, the vessel reflects India's push towards self-reliance in defence production under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.