SOURCE: AFI
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd, one of India’s premier shipyards, has once again demonstrated its dedication to delivering high-quality warships to the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. On March 3, 2025, GRSE successfully completed the Contractor Sea Trials (CSTs) for two naval platforms—Himgiri (Yard 3022) and Androth (Yard 3035)—marking a significant milestone in their construction journeys. These trials, conducted simultaneously, underscore GRSE’s capability to manage multiple complex projects while adhering to stringent timelines and quality standards.
Himgiri is the first of three advanced stealth frigates being constructed by GRSE under the Indian Navy’s prestigious Project 17A. This program aims to deliver a series of seven Nilgiri-class frigates across two shipyards—GRSE and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL)—to enhance the Navy’s blue-water capabilities. Named after a Himalayan peak, Himgiri is a follow-on to the Shivalik-class frigates but incorporates advanced stealth features, improved weapon systems, and cutting-edge sensors. Equipped with anti-ship and anti-submarine warfare capabilities, as well as air defense systems, these frigates are designed to operate in high-threat environments, providing the Navy with versatile multi-role platforms.
Androth is the second in a series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWCs) being built by GRSE for the Indian Navy. These vessels are designed for coastal operations, focusing on anti-submarine warfare in shallow waters—a critical capability given the increasing submarine activity in India’s littoral zones. With advanced sonar systems, lightweight torpedoes, and anti-submarine rockets, the ASW SWCs are tailored to detect, track, and neutralize underwater threats in near-shore environments. Androth follows INS Arnala (Yard 3029), the first of the series, which recently completed its CSTs and is slated for delivery to the Navy shortly.
The Contractor Sea Trials (CSTs) represent the final stage of a warship’s construction before its handover to the Navy. Conducted under real-world sea conditions, these trials rigorously test a vessel’s seaworthiness, performance, and operational readiness. Key parameters evaluated during the CSTs include speed, maneuverability, propulsion efficiency, and the functionality of on-board systems such as radar, communication equipment, and weapon suites. For both Himgiri and Androth, the trials were overseen by senior officials from GRSE, the Indian Navy, and classification societies such as the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), ensuring compliance with naval standards and operational requirements.
The successful completion of these trials on March 3, 2025, is a testament to GRSE’s engineering prowess and its ability to execute complex projects concurrently. Conducting CSTs for two distinct platforms simultaneously—Himgiri, a large blue-water frigate, and Androth, a specialized shallow-water craft—demonstrates the shipyard’s operational efficiency and resource management capabilities.
In addition to the trials of Himgiri and Androth, GRSE recently completed the CSTs for INS Arnala, the first of the eight ASW SWCs. Named after an island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, INS Arnala performed exceptionally during its trials, validating the design and capabilities of the ASW SWC series. With its trials now concluded, INS Arnala is poised for imminent delivery to the Indian Navy, marking the beginning of a new chapter in India’s coastal defense strategy. The successful testing of INS Arnala paves the way for Androth and the remaining six vessels in the series, which are at various stages of construction at GRSE’s Kolkata facility.
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