Indian Navy to Induct First Indigenous Shallow Water Craft

A Major Leap in Coastal Defence

In a landmark development for India’s maritime defense capabilities, the Indian Navy is set to induct the first of 16 indigenously developed Shallow Water Crafts (SWCs) on June 18, 2025. These vessels are purpose-built for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and low-intensity maritime operations in the country’s shallow coastal waters. The commissioning ceremony will symbolize the culmination of a strategic initiative under the “Make in India” defense manufacturing program.

The SWC project, valued at ₹12,622 crore, represents a significant stride in India’s efforts to reduce reliance on foreign defense imports while enhancing its capability to secure vital maritime zones.

Strategic Role of Shallow Water Crafts

The SWCs are compact yet powerful vessels designed to patrol India’s vast 7,500-kilometer-long coastline and island territories. Their small size and agility make them especially effective in littoral zones, where traditional large warships may face maneuvering challenges.

Each craft is equipped with state-of-the-art sonar systems, lightweight torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, and close-in weapon systems (CIWS). In addition to ASW operations, these vessels will also serve in surveillance, mine detection, escort missions, and interdiction of hostile sub-surface threats.

Indigenous Manufacturing and Strategic Autonomy

The SWC fleet is being built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kerala—two of India’s leading public sector shipbuilding companies. With all 16 vessels slated for delivery by 2028, this program marks a watershed in India's naval self-reliance.

Vice Admiral G. Ashok Kumar (Retd), former Vice Chief of Naval Staff and now National Maritime Security Coordinator, commented:

“This is more than just shipbuilding; it’s about strategic autonomy. The induction of indigenous SWCs will give the Navy unmatched flexibility in shallow coastal waters, a domain where underwater threats are increasingly complex.”

A Response to Modern Maritime Challenges

The decision to commission these vessels arises from India’s increasing need to guard against asymmetric threats, including underwater intrusions by mini-submarines, drones, and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).

Rear Admiral Ravi Arora (Retd), Editor-in-Chief of Indian Military Review, noted:

“Maritime threat perceptions have evolved. Today’s enemy doesn't necessarily come in large fleets. Small, fast, and stealthy threats lurk in shallow waters. These vessels are India’s direct answer to that.”

Given India’s strategic location at the crossroads of major global shipping lanes, ensuring 24x7 surveillance and response capability is crucial to maintaining the security of trade routes and energy corridors.

Economic Impact and Defense Sector Boost

From an economic standpoint, this project also brings considerable value to the Indian defense manufacturing ecosystem. More than 80% of the components used in the SWCs are sourced locally—from propulsion systems to sensors, radar equipment, and weapons integration platforms.

This push toward indigenization benefits not only public shipyards but also over 150 MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) working in niche marine defense technologies. According to defense analysts, the multiplier effect on employment, innovation, and R&D will be significant.

Alok Tiwari, a defense sector analyst at Global Maritime Insights, observed:

“The indigenous SWC project is a clear example of how public-private partnerships in defense can achieve both strategic and economic objectives. It’s not just a naval story—it’s an industrial success story.”

Market Context and Investor Outlook

For defense and maritime sector investors, the Indian Navy’s SWC initiative is a promising signal. Companies like GRSE and CSL have seen robust order books and steady revenue growth, underpinned by rising government allocations for indigenous naval platforms.

India's defense capital outlay for FY 2025-26 has crossed ₹1.7 lakh crore, with a clear emphasis on modernization and self-reliance. According to recent data from the Ministry of Defence, 68% of procurement contracts are reserved for domestic industry.

Private investors are closely tracking listed shipbuilders and component manufacturers. Stocks of GRSE, for instance, have surged nearly 30% over the past 12 months, buoyed by strong execution and growing investor confidence in the company’s order fulfillment capabilities.

The Road Ahead

The induction of the first SWC is only the beginning. As India progresses toward becoming a net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), platforms like these will be critical for ensuring maritime domain awareness, safeguarding shipping lanes, and countering undersea threats.

Moreover, these developments feed into broader strategic doctrines such as Mission SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and align with India’s global commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

The upcoming induction of India’s first indigenous Shallow Water Craft marks a pivotal moment in the country’s naval modernization journey. Beyond adding a formidable capability to the Indian Navy’s arsenal, it signals a broader transformation: one where defense preparedness, economic development, and technological independence move in lockstep.

As India continues to project maritime strength, secure its coasts, and promote indigenous innovation, these crafts stand as floating symbols of a confident, self-reliant nation.