KOLKATA: The Indian Navy's prime Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASWSWC) will be unveiled on December 16, adding yet another feather to the cap of Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd.

Even though it is only 77.6 metres long and 10.5 metres wide, this ship will be able to track down and destroy enemy submarines that are lurking along India's shore.

The ship will be launched and then outfitted with sensors, armament systems, and deck equipment before being handed over to the Navy.

16 similar ships have been ordered by the Navy. Eight are being built by GRSE, and Cochin Shipyard Ltd. is working on the other four.

The Navy has earlier received four Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvettes from GRSE as part of Project-28. The first ASW Corvettes to serve in the Indian Navy were of the Kamorta Class. They are far bigger than the current ASWSWCs being developed, measuring 109 metres in length.

"For the past few years, we have been running ASW ships (the INS Kamorta joined the Navy in 2014). However, the ASWSWC will specifically be responsible for scouring the country's extensive coastline for hazards below the surface. At Kattupalli, Tamil Nadu, on December 16, the first ship will be launched. These ships will carry deck cannons for their own defence in addition to sensors and weaponry systems to combat underwater threats "Commodore Indrajeet Dasgupta, the Indian Navy's Warship Production Supervisor (WPS) at GRSE, said.

According to another senior naval official, these ships will be crucial given the movement of Chinese submarines towards Indian seas. Midget submarines may reach very near to the coast and wreak serious damage to harbour access points and anchored warships, whereas submarines operating further out at sea can be identified and stopped by ASW Corvettes and long-range surveillance planes. Mines can be planted by submarines near harbour entrances. Early this year, it was revealed that China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) had created and enlisted diminutive submarines that could evade defences.

"Such dangers will be easily combatted by the ASWSWCs. They can work independently or in tandem with aircraft. Additionally, these ships will be able to see mines and take the required precautions "the official noted.

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