Cochin Shipyard, Garden Reach to build 16 sub-hunters for Indian Navy

Cochin Shipyard (CSL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) have each been awarded a contract to build eight anti-submarine warfare shallow-water craft (ASWSWCs) for the Indian Navy.

Each vessel will have a deep displacement of 750 tonnes, a crew of 57, a speed of 25 knots, and the ability to perform secondary missions such as search and rescue (SAR).

CSL and GRSE are expected to deliver one vessel each within 42 months of the awarding of the contracts. Subsequent deliveries will be at a rate of two vessels per shipbuilder per year.

The contracts have an estimated total value equivalent to US$1.81 billion.

The 16 ASWSWCs are slated to replace the navy’s three Abhay-class anti-submarine warfare (ASW) corvettes that entered service between 1989 and 1991.