SAIL Supplies Indigenous Steel for INS Androth, Boosting India’s Naval Power

In a significant boost to India’s maritime self-reliance and defence manufacturing capabilities, the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL)—the nation’s largest public sector steelmaker and a Maharatna company—has supplied the entire requirement of special-grade steel for INS Androth, which was commissioned into the Indian Navy on October 6, 2025. The achievement marks a proud milestone in India’s ongoing naval modernization efforts under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.

A Testament to Indigenous Defence Manufacturing

INS Androth is the second vessel in the series of Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) corvettes, following INS Arnala, which was commissioned earlier on June 18, 2025. These state-of-the-art vessels, built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd. (GRSE) in Kolkata, are designed for coastal defence operations, including anti-submarine warfare, mine detection, and patrol missions in shallow waters.

SAIL has supplied special-grade steel, including HR (Hot Rolled) sheets and plates, for all eight ASW-SWC ships being constructed for the Indian Navy. The steel for these high-performance vessels was sourced from SAIL’s flagship plants at Bhilai (Chhattisgarh), Bokaro (Jharkhand), and Rourkela (Odisha)—each a cornerstone of India’s steel production ecosystem.

This indigenously produced steel meets stringent naval standards, demonstrating India’s capability to develop defence-grade materials that were once largely imported.

“Supplying special-grade steel for INS Androth is a moment of national pride. It underlines our capacity to support India’s growing defence and shipbuilding sectors with world-class indigenous steel,” said a senior SAIL official.

INS Androth: Strengthening India’s Coastal Defence

Built under the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) Project, INS Androth represents a new generation of compact, agile, and highly equipped corvettes designed for operations in littoral zones.

The ship is named after Androth Island—part of the Lakshadweep archipelago—symbolizing India’s growing maritime outreach in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Equipped with advanced sonar systems, lightweight torpedoes, and modern navigation suites, the vessel is capable of detecting and neutralizing underwater threats in coastal waters.

The commissioning of INS Androth not only enhances India’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities but also showcases the successful synergy between the country’s steel manufacturing sector, shipbuilding industry, and defence establishment.

SAIL’s Role in Nation-Building and Defence

Over the decades, SAIL has been a consistent contributor to India’s defence infrastructure, supplying specialized steel for a range of critical applications—from warships and submarines to battle tanks and missile systems.

SAIL’s plants produce defence-grade steels with high tensile strength, corrosion resistance, and superior weldability, essential for naval platforms that operate in harsh marine environments. The steel used in INS Androth’s construction underwent rigorous testing and certification to meet the Navy’s operational standards.

Notably, SAIL’s Bhilai Steel Plant has long been the backbone of the country’s strategic steel supply, while Rourkela has emerged as a key producer of high-strength steels for defence and aerospace. The Bokaro Steel Plant continues to innovate in flat steel products for specialized industrial and defence applications.

Aligning with Aatmanirbhar Bharat

The commissioning of INS Androth, built entirely using indigenous materials, is a strong reflection of India’s commitment to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) vision. The collaboration between SAIL and GRSE exemplifies how public sector enterprises are driving technological advancement and self-sufficiency in strategic sectors.

“Our focus is not only on meeting India’s industrial demand but also on contributing directly to the nation’s defence preparedness. The indigenous production of naval-grade steel underscores our resolve to support the government’s vision of self-reliance,” said SAIL Chairman Amarendu Prakash in a recent statement.

Building for the Future

As India’s naval shipbuilding program continues to expand, SAIL is expected to play a critical role in supplying advanced materials for upcoming platforms, including frigates, destroyers, and submarines. The company is also investing in research and development to enhance its capacity for producing high-grade alloy steels, aligning with future defence and aerospace requirements.

The successful induction of INS Androth reinforces the importance of indigenous steel manufacturing in strengthening India’s maritime defence ecosystem. It is a testament to the power of collaboration between India’s strategic industries and the armed forces.

With each vessel built using Indian steel, the country sails closer to achieving its goal of a self-reliant, technologically advanced defence industrial base—a cornerstone of national security and economic strength.