Indian Navy Commissions INS Mahe: First Indigenously Built Mahe-Class ASW Shallow Water Craft Joins Fleet
On Monday, the Indian Navy officially inducted INS Mahe, the inaugural vessel of the indigenous Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), during a ceremony at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.
The event was led by General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, and organized by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. High-ranking naval officials, representatives from Cochin Shipyard Ltd, and other notable attendees were present.
Named after the historically significant coastal town of Mahe on the Malabar Coast, the ship embodies both tradition and power. Its insignia displays the Urumi, a flexible sword from Kalaripayattu, emerging from stylised waves, symbolizing dexterity, precision, and deadly elegance. The ship’s mascot, the Cheetah, represents speed, vigilance, and effective striking ability, while its motto, "Silent Hunters," underscores stealth and preparedness.
INS Mahe is the first of an eight-ship series overseen by Cochin Shipyard Limited, with input from BEL, L&T Defence, Mahindra Defence, NPOL, and over 20 MSMEs. With over 80% of its components sourced domestically, the ship marks significant progress in India's push for self-sufficiency in defense manufacturing.
Designed for anti-submarine tasks in coastal and shallow waters, INS Mahe is outfitted with a compact yet sophisticated combat suite, integrating sensors, weapons, and communication technologies to detect, track, and counter underwater threats effectively.
Fitted with advanced propulsion and control systems, and capable of extended operations in littoral zones, the ship substantially enhances the Navy’s capacity to secure coastal regions and maintain maritime superiority.
During the ceremony, General Upendra Dwivedi emphasized that the induction of INS Mahe:
| Marks India’s improved ability to design and deploy complex maritime platforms with indigenous technology. |
| Will significantly enhance the Navy’s coastal defense and littoral warfare capabilities. |
| Demonstrates the critical importance of joint operations across land, sea, and air for future multi-domain engagements. |
| Showcases the success of recent collaborative missions, highlighting Operation Sindoor as a prime example of inter-service cooperation. |
The Mahe-class vessels are poised to be the frontline in India’s coastal defense framework, complementing larger warships, submarines, and naval aviation units. INS Mahe bolsters the Navy’s commitment to being Combat Ready, Cohesive, and Self-Reliant, contributing to secure seas for a Viksit, Samriddha Bharat.
