'Agray' and 'Akshay', the 5th and 6th ships of 08 x ASW Shallow Water Craft (SWC) Project being built by M/S GRSE for Indian Navy, were launched on March 13, 2024 at GRSE, Kolkata. The Launch Ceremony was presided over by Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, Chief of the Air staff. In keeping with maritime tradition, Neeta Chaudhari, President AFFWA, launched the ships to the invocation from Atharva Veda. The ships have been rechristened as Agray and Akshay, named after erstwhile Abhay Class Corvettes Agray and Akshay of Indian Navy.

The contract for building eight ASW SWC ships was signed between MoD and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata on April 29, 2019. Arnala class of ships will replace the in-service Abhay class ASW Corvettes of Indian Navy and are designed to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and Mine Laying Operations. The ASW SWC ships are 77.6 m long & 105 m wide with a displacement of 900 tonnes and endurance of over 1,800 NM.

In the last one year, 03 indigenously built warships/ submarine for Indian Navy have been delivered and a total of 09 warships were launched. The launch of two more ships of the project highlights the nation's resolve towards 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' in shipbuilding. The first ship of the project is planned to be delivered during the first half of 2024. The ASW SWC ships will have over 80 per cent indigenous content, thereby ensuring that large scale defence production is executed by Indian manufacturing units, generating employment and capability enhancement within the country.