Indian Navy Commissions INS Anjadip 'Dolphin Hunter' to Boost Anti-Submarine Warfare
In a significant move to strengthen India's maritime defense, the Indian Navy officially commissioned INS Anjadip, also known as the "Dolphin Hunter," on Friday. This advanced warship is specifically designed to enhance anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities in coastal and shallow waters, focusing on the detection, tracking, and neutralization of enemy submarines.
Commissioning Ceremony and Strategic Vision
The commissioning ceremony took place at the Chennai port, attended by senior Navy officials, government representatives, and ship-building experts. Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi emphasized the Navy's ambitious goals during the event. He stated that the Navy aims to transform into a maritime force with over 200 ships by 2035 and plans to induct 15 additional vessels in 2026.
Admiral Tripathi highlighted the evolution of India's self-reliance strategy, noting that the concept of 'atmanirbharta' has progressed from 'Make in India' to 'Trust in India.' He remarked, "We have embraced aatmanirbharta not only as a strategic imperative but also as an investment towards future assurance." The Navy's long-term vision is to achieve complete self-reliance in ship-building at the component level, aspiring to become a fully 'atmanirbhar' force by 2047.
Design and Capabilities of INS Anjadip
Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata, INS Anjadip is a state-of-the-art vessel tailored for the challenges of littoral combat environments. Named after the historical island off the coast of Karwar, this warship is the third in a series of eight vessels under the anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft project.
The vessel boasts an impressive indigenous content of over 80%, showcasing India's growing self-reliance in warship design and defense electronics. Key features include:
- Dimensions: 77 meters long and 1400 tonnes in weight, configured for rapid response and sustained operations in coastal areas.
- ASW Suite: Equipped with a modern anti-submarine warfare suite, including an integrated advanced combat management system.
- Sensors and Armament: Features a sensor package with the hull-mounted sonar Abhay, and is armed with lightweight torpedoes and ASW rockets.
- Propulsion: One of the largest Indian naval warships propelled by waterjets, also equipped with state-of-the-art shallow water sonar.
Role and Significance
INS Anjadip follows its predecessors, INS Arnala and Androth, in the series of warships dedicated to anti-submarine warfare. In addition to its primary ASW role, the agile and highly maneuverable warship is capable of undertaking coastal surveillance, low-intensity maritime operations, and search and rescue missions.
This commissioning marks a crucial step in bolstering India's naval defense, particularly in safeguarding vital coastal regions. The emphasis on indigenous technology and self-reliance aligns with national security objectives, positioning the Indian Navy as a formidable force in the years to come.
