Kolkata: Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd., (GRSE), Kolkata, laid the keel of the last in the series (Yard 3034) of eight (8) Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Watercrafts at their Raja Bagan Dockyard Unit.
The Keel Laying was performed in the presence of Vice Admiral B Sivakumar, AVSM, VSM, Controller Warship Production and Acquisition. The occasion was graced by Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd.), Chairman & Managing Director, GRSE, RK Dash, Director (Finance), GRSE, CD Shantanu Bose, IN (Retd.), Director (Shipbuilding), GRSE, DIG Subrato Ghosh, ICG (Retd.), Director (Personnel), GRSE, Abhishek Ranjan, IOFS, Chief Vigilance Officer, GRSE, along with other Senior Officers from Indian Navy & GRSE.
Yard 3034 is the eighth and the last ship in the series of eight ASWSWC being built by GRSE for the Indian Navy. These ships are 77.6 metres long and 10.5 metres wide and require a draught of only 2.7 metres. Propelled by three diesel driven water jets, these ships can attain a maximum speed of 25 knots.
The primary role of the ASWSWC is to conduct anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and mine laying operations. These ships are also capable of full-scale subsurface surveillance of coastal waters and various surface platforms and coordinated ASW operations with aircraft.
These ships may be smaller in size but will pack a lethal punch. They will carry lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets and mines, close in weapon system (30 mm Naval Surface Gun), and 16.7 mm stabilized remote controlled guns. The ASWSWC will be fitted with hull mounted sonar and a low frequency variable depth sonar.
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd., a premier Warship building Company in India, under the administrative control of Ministry of Defence, a PCMM Level-2 Certified Company, has the distinction of becoming the first shipyard of independent India to build a warship for Indian Navy, the Seaward Defence Boat (SDB) INS Ajay, way back in 1961. GRSE also built the first ever Indian Export Warship “CGS Barracuda” for Govt. of Mauritius, a Fast Patrol Vessel “SCG PS Zoroaster” for Seychelles and an Ocean-Going Cargo & Passenger Ferry Vessel “MV Ma Lisha” for Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
The shipyard was conferred the status of a Miniratna Category I Company in 2006. GRSE has built over 790 platforms including 109 warships for Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and friendly foreign countries – highest warships built and delivered by any Indian shipyard till date. From Frigates, Corvettes, Fleet Tankers, Landing Ship Tank, Landing Craft Utility to Survey Vessels, Offshore Patrol Vessels and Fast Attack Craft – the repertoire is rich and varied. In addition to shipbuilding & ship repair, GRSE is also engaged in engine production and other engineering activities. The engineering division manufactures deck machinery items, pre-fabricated portable steel bridges and marine pumps.
GRSE embraced infrastructure modernisation over past decades and can undertake concurrent construction of 20 ships at a time. Team of highly skilled design engineers and state of art VR Lab & latest software aid in the in-house design capabilities. With proven credentials, the shipyard is on a growth path, reaffirming its motto “In Pursuit of Excellence and Quality in Shipbuilding”.
