Indian Navy’s ‘Dolphin Hunter’: How INS Anjadip will secure India’s shallow waters from stealthy threats

The ship’s crest, featuring a Shankh (conch), was unveiled Monday.

Unveiling its crest, the Navy said in a post on X, “The Shankh symbolises divine energy, purity, and the sound of creation. Anjadip’s operational prowess – encompassing its Anti-Submarine Capabilities is powerfully encapsulated by its motto – “Anvishya Shatrun Vijaya Sada — seek the enemy, and be ever victorious.”

#Anjadip – ‘Dolphin Hunters’

Unveiling the crest of Anjadip, the third ship of the eight ASW-SWC built by @OfficialGRSE.
The Shankh symbolises divine energy, purity, and the sound of creation.
Anjadip’s operational prowess – encompassing its Anti-Submarine
Capabilities is… pic.twitter.com/FuATfzsQRI

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) February 23, 2026

State-of-the-art vessel with cutting-edge weapons

In December 2013, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) gave a nod for the procurement of 16 ASW vessels at a cost of over Rs 13,000 crore. Contracts for 16 ASW SWC were signed for the construction of the ships — eight ships will be constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited, and the other eight by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers.

Given India’s extensive coastline of 7,516 kilometres, along with 12 major ports, 184 minor ports, and 1,197 island territories, coastal surveillance for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) operations is considered critical.

“Built by GRSE, Anjadip is a state-of-the-art vessel specifically designed to address the challenges of the littoral combat environment—the coastal and shallow waters vital for the nation’s security. The vessel is engineered to act as a ‘Dolphin Hunter’, focused on the detection, tracking, and neutralisation of enemy submarines in coastal areas,” the Indian Navy said.

The ship is packed with an indigenous, cutting-edge ASW weapons and sensor package, including the Hull-Mounted Sonar Abhay, and is armed with Lightweight Torpedoes and ASW Rockets. In addition to its primary ASW role, the agile and highly manoeuvrable warship is also equipped to undertake coastal surveillance, Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and Search and Rescue operations.

The 77 metre-long ship features a high-speed Water-Jet Propulsion system, enabling it to achieve a top speed of 25 knots for rapid response and sustained operations.

Among the 16, the Arnala-class is being built by the GRSE, while the Mahe-class is being built by the CSL. Arnala-class includes Arnala, Androth, Anjadip, Amini, Abhay, Agray, Ajay, and Akshay. The Mahe-class comprises the newly commissioned Mahe, Malvan, Mangrol, Malpe, Mulki, Magdala and Machilipatnam.

A series of ASW SWC inductions is bridging a longstanding operational gap by giving the Navy the crucial ability to detect and counter stealthy diesel-electric submarines operating close to the coastline, an area where larger surface combatants cannot manoeuvre effectively.

Their low draught, advanced sonars, and high manoeuvrability make them essential for securing harbour approaches, sea-lanes leading to major ports, offshore energy assets and operational bases, which are vulnerable and economically vital maritime assets.