Two cutting-edge warships, Himgiri and Androth, will soon be introduced into the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, bolstering their marine capabilities after successful Contractor Sea Trials (CSTs) on March 3, 2025. These tests are essential because they evaluate the vessels’ operational preparedness and seaworthiness by analysing aspects including speed, manoeuvrability, and the performance of the onboard equipment.
It has improved stealth capabilities and is prepared for anti-ship and anti-submarine operations, among other combat scenarios.
One of the finest Indian warship manufacturers, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), is constructing two excellent warships in Kolkata. On March 3, the business successfully finished the Contractor Sea Trials (CSTs) for the Androth and Himgiri ships.
“A vessel’s seaworthiness is evaluated during the last phase of construction, known as Contractor Sea Trials, or CST. A senior GRSE official clarified, “A number of factors are evaluated, including speed, manoeuvrability, and the performance of onboard equipment.”
The first of three Project-17A Advanced Frigates being built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata, this ship is an advanced frigate.
Androth: Built for coastal operations, this vessel is the second of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Watercrafts (ASW SWCs). With its cutting-edge sonar equipment and lightweight torpedoes, it specialises in anti-submarine warfare and can identify and eliminate underwater threats.
An important turning point in India’s navy shipbuilding operations has been reached with the successful completion of CSTs for both ships. To guarantee adherence to naval standards, senior representatives from GRSE, the Indian Navy, and classification societies kept an eye on the trials. The first ASW SWC in this series, INS Arnala, has also finished testing and will soon be delivered to the Navy.
With more than 790 platforms, including 110 warships, delivered to the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, GRSE has a lengthy history of shipbuilding in India. After independence in 1961, the business was the first to construct a warship for the Indian Navy. This development aligns with India’s broader strategy to bolster its maritime strength amid increasing regional challenges.
