India to acquire 8 new ASW shallow water vessels.

Cochin Shipyard Limited said it signed a contract for construction and supply of 8 anti-submarine warfare (ASW) ships with the Indian Navy. This comes as India recently also awarded GRSE a contract for the building of 8 ASW shallow water crafts (ASWSWCs).

An artist rendering of the ASWSWCs that will be made by Cochin Shipyard Ltd. (Picture Source: Cochin Shipyard Ltd)

The ships, also known as anti-submarine warfare shallow water crafts (ASWSWCs), will have a displacement (size) of about 750 tons, a speed of 25 knots and will be capable of full-scale, sub-surface surveillance of coastal waters. The ships will also be able to launch coordinated anti-submarine operations with aircraft.

In terms of class, they will be classified as Corvettes, which are smaller ships compared to Frigates, but larger than patrol boats.

The first ship has to be delivered within 42 months (22nd October). Subsequently, the shipbuilder will deliver two per year.

According to Cochin Shipyard Ltd, "“The vessels will have the capability to interdict/destroy subsurface targets in coastal waters. They can also be deployed for search and rescue by day and night in coastal areas." They added that "In their secondary role, they will be capable to prosecute intruding aircraft, and lay mines in the sea bed”.