Agray, the fourth of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, has been delivered to the Indian Navy at Kolkata. Built indigenously by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, the ship marks another step in India’s push for self-reliance in naval defence manufacturing. It is designed for anti-submarine warfare, mine warfare and coastal surveillance in shallow waters.
Key Features of Agray
- Agray is about 77 metres long and is one of the largest Indian Naval warships powered by waterjets.
- It carries Lightweight Torpedoes, Indigenous Rocket Launchers and shallow water SONAR.
- These systems help detect and engage underwater threats in coastal areas.
Indigenous Shipbuilding Milestone
- The vessel has been built in line with the Classification Rules of the Indian Register of Shipping.
- It has over 80% indigenous content.
- The delivery reflects the growing capability of India’s domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Operational Significance
- The ship will strengthen the Navy’s anti-submarine and mine-warfare capabilities.
- It will also improve surveillance along India’s coastline.
- Such platforms are important for protecting naval bases, ports and sea lanes.
Legacy and Naming
- Agray continues the tradition of reusing distinguished naval names.
- It is named after the earlier INS Agray, which belonged to the 1241 PE Class of Patrol Vessels.
- The earlier ship was decommissioned in 2017.