The steel cutting for the Acoustic Research Ship (ARS) built for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) got under way at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Limited, Kolkata, on Wednesday.
The contract for the ARS, valued at ₹490.98 crore, was signed between GRSE and DRDO/Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) on October 21, 2024. The ship is expected to be delivered in three years by 2027.
Samir V. Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development, and Chairman, DRDO, was the chief guest. GRSE chairman and managing director P.R. Hari, Chandrika Kaushik DG (PC&SI), DRDO, D. Seshagiri, Director, NPOL, senior scientists from the DRDO and senior officials from GRSE were present.
Once completed, the ARS will be India’s first silent class ship. It will be over 90 metres long with a displacement of more than 5,000 tonnes. It is designed to achieve a speed of 12 knots. This state-of-the-art vessel will be equipped with modern facilities including Gondola, Moon pool, and Dropkeel to perform underwater acoustic and oceanographic research activities of the NPOL. The vessel is equipped with a Dynamic Positioning System (DP-II).
Published – April 17, 2025 08:41 am IST
