Navy to bolster anti-sub prowess in Indian Ocean

Move to counter threat from growing Pak-China maritime ties

- MAYANK SINGH @New Delhi

THE Indian Navy is set to add to its fleet another anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft 'Androth', second of the eight ASW SWCs (Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft), built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.

Calling the step important, a source said, "The focus on the anti-submarine warfare is conspicuous with the Navy's planned induction of 16 ASW-SWCs, the six P-8I Poseidon, and more UAVs and Drones for the purpose."

The Navy commissioned the first of the 16 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), INS Arnala, at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam, in June. Eight more ASW-SWC warships are being constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi.