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NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy on Monday commissioned INS Mahe, the first vessel of the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), marking a major milestone in India’s coastal defence and indigenous shipbuilding capability. The ceremony took place at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, who presided over the commissioning, said, “Bravo salute to the commanding officer, officers and men of Mahe. It’s a moment of immense pride to witness the commissioning of the first of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts built by Cochin Shipyard.” “This marks our nation’s increasing capability to design, construct and field complex combatants with indigenous technology,” he added.INS Mahe, delivered to the Navy on 23 October 2025, is designed for high-tempo ASW missions, coastal patrol, underwater surveillance, and mine-laying in shallow and constrained waters where larger ships cannot operate effectively. With its compact 78-metre frame and displacement of around 1,100 tonnes, it combines speed, stealth, and high agility for frontline coastal defence.
Indigenous technology at the core
More than 80% of the ship’s components are Indian-built, reflecting strong collaboration between naval designers, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), and domestic defence manufacturers. Key indigenous systems include:
- Propulsion and power management systems
- Integrated combat management suite
- Medium-frequency hull-mounted sonar
- Multi-function surveillance radar
- Torpedo and ASW rocket systems
Combat power built for India’s littorals
INS Mahe features next-generation detection and engagement systems tailored for shallow-water ASW operations. Its sensors include an indigenous medium-frequency hull-mounted sonar, a multi-function surveillance radar, and an Electronic Support Measures (ESM) and EW suite.The ship’s weapons package consists of lightweight acoustic-homing torpedoes, multi-functional ASW rocket launchers, an optional 30mm Remote Weapon Station for self-defence, and mine-laying rails for coastal mine patterns.It delivers a top speed of 25 knots, a range of 1,800 nautical miles at cruising speed, and 14 days of endurance. Its shallow draughr, under 3 meters, allows effective operations close to the coastline.
Why ‘Mahe’?
INS Mahe is named after the historic coastal town of Mahe on the Malabar Coast. Its crest features the Urumi, a flexible sword from Kalarippayattu, symbolising agility, precision, and fluid lethality.INS Mahe is the first of eight ships in the class being built by CSL, with the remaining seven scheduled for delivery through 2027. Once fully inducted, the Mahe-class will replace the Navy’s older Abhay-class corvettes, strengthening the anti-submarine warfare grid along the coastline and improving tracking of underwater threats in the littoral zone. It will also enhance monitoring of diesel-electric submarines operating in the Indian Ocean.
Technical Annex: INS Mahe (ASW-SWC)
INS Mahe is built by Cochin Shipyard Limited and measures 78 metres in length, displaces about 1,100 tonnes, has an 11-metre beam, and carries a crew of roughly 60.It uses twin-shaft diesel propulsion generating over 6 MW of power, giving it a top speed of 25 knots, a range of 1,800 nautical miles at 14 knots, and an endurance of 14 days.Its mission profile includes littoral ASW dominance, coastal defence and surveillance, mine warfare, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and protection of offshore assets, ports, and choke points. Go to Source
