SAIL Powers INS Arnala with Special Steel, Boosting India’s Defence Self-Reliance

In a significant stride toward strengthening India's defence capabilities and reducing reliance on imports, the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), a Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking and the nation’s largest steelmaker, has proudly supplied the full requirement of special-grade steel for India’s first indigenously designed and built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), INS Arnala. The vessel was officially commissioned into the Indian Navy on June 18, 2025.

This milestone marks a notable contribution from SAIL to the Indian Navy’s modernization efforts and stands as a testament to the company’s pivotal role in realising the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

A Historic Commissioning: INS Arnala Joins the Naval Fleet

INS Arnala, named after the strategic island of Arnala off Maharashtra's coast, is the lead ship in a series of eight ASW-SWC corvettes being developed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. These vessels are specifically designed for anti-submarine warfare in shallow waters, enhancing the Navy’s capabilities in coastal surveillance and underwater threats.

The induction of INS Arnala into the fleet symbolizes a leap forward in indigenous shipbuilding and defence manufacturing, and it is made even more remarkable by the fact that SAIL’s domestically produced special-grade steel forms the backbone of its construction.

SAIL's Contribution: Delivering Strength, Resilience, and Self-Reliance

SAIL's contribution to the ASW-SWC project exemplifies its growing stature as a reliable partner in India’s strategic sectors. The company supplied a comprehensive range of custom-engineered special steel products required for hull construction, inner compartments, and structural elements—materials that meet the stringent standards required for naval applications.

This project is not a standalone success. SAIL is also supplying the total special steel requirement for the remaining seven ships in the ASW-SWC class, reinforcing its critical role in the Indian Navy’s modernization agenda.

SAIL’s Chairman and Managing Director lauded the team’s efforts:

“Our special steel has not just built ships; it has helped build India's defence strength. Each contribution strengthens the foundation of a self-reliant India.”

A Legacy of Supporting Naval Excellence

The partnership between SAIL and India’s defence sector is not new. The steel giant has previously supported major naval milestones by supplying special-grade steel for prestigious vessels such as:

• INS Vikrant – India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier

• INS Vindyagiri – Stealth-guided missile frigate

• INS Nilgiri – Lead ship of the advanced Nilgiri-class frigates

• INS Surat – A frontline destroyer of the Indian Navy

These contributions have reduced dependency on imported steel, proving that Indian metallurgy and manufacturing are capable of meeting world-class defence specifications.

Enabling Defence Self-Sufficiency Through Steel Innovation

SAIL’s R&D and metallurgical excellence are crucial to its ability to serve India’s high-end defence needs. The special steel supplied to the Navy features enhanced corrosion resistance, strength-to-weight ratios, and long service life—characteristics essential for maritime defence assets operating in saline and high-pressure environments.

This focus on quality and innovation enables India to replace expensive imports with indigenously developed alternatives, making projects like INS Arnala a blueprint for future collaboration between the armed forces and domestic industry.

A Step Forward for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’

By championing the use of indigenous materials in strategic sectors, SAIL is actively driving the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, the national campaign aimed at enhancing self-reliance in manufacturing, especially in sensitive areas like defence. The successful commissioning of INS Arnala with fully Indian-made steel showcases how public sector undertakings can play a transformative role in the country’s industrial and strategic autonomy.

As India continues to bolster its maritime security and assert its influence in the Indo-Pacific region, partnerships between defence forces and enterprises like SAIL will be central to achieving long-term resilience, economic sustainability, and national pride.