Yard 3034 (Ajay), Final ASW Shallow Water Craft of GRSE Project, Launched in Kolkata

Indian Navy's anti-submarine warfare capabilities get a boost with the launch of the eighth and final vessel under the ASW SWC program

Kolkata, 21 July 2025 — The Indian Navy marked a major milestone today with the launch of Yard 3034 (Ajay), the final ship in the series of Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWC). The ship was launched at the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) facility in Kolkata, in the presence of Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh, Chief of Materiel, Indian Navy. Adhering to longstanding naval traditions, Mrs. Priya Deshmukh conducted the ceremonial launch.

With the launch of Ajay, GRSE has completed the eight-ship ASW SWC project, reinforcing India’s shipbuilding capabilities under the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. The first ship of the class, INS Arnala, was commissioned just last month on 18 June 2025, and the second vessel is scheduled for delivery in August 2025.

Ajay is purpose-built for anti-submarine operations in shallow waters. The vessel is equipped with a suite of modern weapons and sensors, including:

Hull Mounted Sonar
Low Frequency Variable Depth Sonar (LFVDS)
Torpedoes and Anti-Submarine Rockets
NSG-30 Naval Gun
12.7 mm Stabilized Remote-Controlled Gun (SRCG)

Its propulsion is driven by diesel engines coupled with waterjet technology, enhancing agility in coastal operations.

The ASW SWC class, including Ajay, will significantly enhance India’s underwater domain awareness, anti-submarine warfare capabilities, and mine-laying potential. These ships are designed to detect and neutralize underwater threats in littoral zones, a key strategic focus in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

The Ajay project boasts more than 80% indigenous components, underscoring India’s progress in developing cutting-edge naval platforms domestically. The launch reflects the Ministry of Defence’s sustained push toward indigenous design, weapon systems, advanced communication tools, and electronic warfare solutions.

The launch of Yard 3034 (Ajay) marks not just the end of a successful shipbuilding contract, but a powerful statement of India’s growing defense manufacturing ecosystem. This program sets a benchmark for future indigenous defense production and aligns with the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav vision of a self-reliant and strategically capable India.