The Indian Navy commissioned INS Androth, its second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), on October 6, 2025, at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. The ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command, in the presence of senior naval officers, representatives from Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, and distinguished civilian dignitaries.

The ship is named after Androth, the northernmost island of the Lakshadweep group, known for its historical and strategic maritime significance.

Leap in Indigenous Naval Capability

The production of this second ASW-SWC, with over 80% indigenous content, underscores the Indian Navy’s sustained commitment to self-reliance and technological innovation. Measuring 77 metres in length and displacing about 1,500 tonnes, INS Androth is designed for anti-submarine operations in coastal and shallow waters.

This state-of-the-art submarine hunter is equipped with advanced weapons, sensors, and communication systems that enable it to detect, track, and neutralize sub-surface threats with precision. Powered by three waterjet propulsion systems driven by marine diesel engines, the vessel is highly agile and maneuverable, capable of sustained operations in littoral environments.

Besides anti-submarine warfare, the ship’s roles include maritime surveillance, search and rescue, coastal defence, and low-intensity maritime operations, making it a versatile addition to the Navy’s growing fleet.

Overcoming India’s Historic “Sea Blindness”

India’s experience under colonial rule—dominated for centuries by a small island nation with a powerful navy—did not translate into maritime awareness post-Independence. For decades, New Delhi’s political leadership and bureaucracy remained “sea-blind”, overlooking the nation’s vast coastline and maritime vulnerabilities.

This attitude began to change only after the 1971 India-Pakistan war, when the Navy played a decisive role for the first time. Yet, it took even longer for India to recognize that the Indian Ocean, just 2,280 km away, is a vast maritime expanse extending deep into the Southern Hemisphere.

Historically, Bharat’s maritime legacy dates back to the Harappan Civilization (c. 2400 BCE), when Indian seafarers engaged in robust maritime trade that also spread Indian culture and ideas across Asia and beyond.

India’s coastline was recently revised from 7,516.6 km to 11,098.81 km (2023–24) following a detailed Survey of India assessment that now includes offshore islands. The nation also hosts 14 major ports and over 200 non-major ports, with ongoing initiatives such as the Sagarmala Project aimed at deepening port infrastructure and enhancing maritime logistics.

Rising Challenges in the Indian Ocean

With its long and strategic coastline, India faces both traditional and non-traditional maritime threats—ranging from China and Pakistan’s naval build-up to piracy, maritime terrorism, smuggling, illegal fishing, and cyber threats targeting underwater communication infrastructure.

China’s “String of Pearls” strategy, marked by its growing presence in regional ports like Gwadar (Pakistan) and Hambantota (Sri Lanka), aims to expand Beijing’s influence across the Indian Ocean. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)—now the world’s largest by number of vessels—is rapidly enhancing its blue-water capabilities.

Reports have surfaced of Chinese “survey” ships operating covertly in the Bay of Bengal and near Indian missile test zones. Satellite intelligence suggests that these vessels conduct seafloor mapping and acoustic surveillance, activities with clear military implications.

India’s response has been multi-pronged: expanding its maritime surveillance network, strengthening coastal radar chains, investing in seabed monitoring, and deepening cooperation with strategic partners such as the US, Japan, and Australia.

Even amid political and trade tensions between the US and India, the Indian and US navies jointly conducted Exercise Malabar 2025 in the Western Pacific and another bilateral drill in the Arabian Sea. India also joined the Sea Dragon 2025 multi-nation exercise hosted by the US.

Submarine Strength, Strategic Imperatives

India’s underwater defence remains a top priority. The Navy currently operates 19 submarines—16 conventional and three nuclear-powered (including two ballistic missile submarines and one leased nuclear attack submarine). With many nearing the end of their operational life, plans are underway to expand the fleet to 24, including indigenous nuclear attack submarines.

China, by contrast, possesses 60–70 submarines, including 12 nuclear-powered platforms, and aims to grow to 80 submarines within the decade. Pakistan, meanwhile, continues modernizing its navy with Chinese and Turkish assistance, acquiring advanced frigates and submarines to strengthen its anti-access/area-denial capabilities.

For India, bolstering its maritime and underwater deterrence is vital to maintaining regional balance and protecting its vast maritime domain from both conventional and asymmetric threats.

(The author is a strategic affairs analyst and former spokesperson, Ministry of Defence and Indian Army. Views expressed are personal. He can be reached at wordsword02@gmail.com; LinkedIn | X (Twitter): @ColAnilBhat8252)