The Indian Navy has significantly strengthened its coastal defense capabilities with the commissioning of INS Mahe, the lead vessel in a new class of indigenously designed Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC). This strategic induction marks a crucial step in enhancing India's maritime security infrastructure.
INS Mahe: A Symbol of Indigenous Naval Power
Commissioned at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on November 27, 2025, INS Mahe represents the first of eight such vessels being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). The ship's name honors the historic coastal town of Mahe on the Malabar Coast, while its crest features the Urumi, a flexible sword from Kalaripayattu, symbolizing agility and precision.
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi emphasized during the commissioning ceremony that the ship will significantly augment the Indian Navy's capacity to ensure near-sea dominance and strengthen India's coastal security grid. The vessel's mascot is the Cheetah, embodying speed and focus, with the motto 'Silent Hunters' reflecting its stealth operational capabilities.
Technical Specifications and Advanced Capabilities
Designed and constructed as per Det Norske Veritas (DNV) classification rules, the Mahe-class vessels represent cutting-edge indigenous naval technology. Measuring 78 meters in length and 11.36 meters in width, these ships displace approximately 896 tonnes and can reach speeds of up to 25 knots.
These are the largest Indian Naval warships propelled by a diesel engine-waterjet combination, featuring a draught of about 2.7 meters that enables effective operations in shallow waters. With an endurance of 1,800 nautical miles, the vessel can sustain prolonged coastal operations.
The ship is equipped with state-of-the-art indigenous SONARS for underwater surveillance and advanced weapons systems capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralizing sub-surface threats with precision. Additional capabilities include mine-laying operations and Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO).
Strategic Importance of 16 ASW-SWC Vessels
The Indian Navy is inducting a total of 16 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft under a project approved by the Defence Acquisition Council in December 2013 at a cost of over Rs 13,000 crore. While Cochin Shipyard Limited is building eight Mahe-class vessels, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Kolkata is constructing eight Arnala-class ships.
This procurement fills a critical operational gap left by the decommissioning of Abhay-class corvettes between 2017 and October 2025. The strategic deployment of these 16 specialized ships will create a structured ASW protection wall along India's 7,516 km coastline, protecting vital assets including 12 major ports, 184 minor ports, and 1,197 island territories.
The vessels' low draught and advanced sensor systems make them particularly effective in coastal waters where larger warships cannot operate efficiently. This capability is crucial for securing harbour approaches, sea lanes, and offshore energy assets against potential underwater threats.
The project has achieved over 80 percent indigenous content with participation from industry partners including BEL, L&T Defence, Mahindra Defence Systems, NPOL and more than 20 MSMEs. All 16 vessels are expected to be fully operational within the next 2-3 years, significantly enhancing the Indian Navy's operational capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region.
