Silent, swift, lethal: Indian Navy to commission its first indigenous shallow water anti-submarine warfare ship
The Indian Navy is poised to script a major milestone with the commissioning of Mahe — the first in a new class of indigenous shallow-water anti-submarine vessels. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited with over 80% indigenous components, 'Mahe' brings together stealth, firepower and cutting-edge surveillance to dominate the littorals. Sleek, swift and resolutely Indian, it marks a powerful step forward in the Navy's Aatmanirbhar Bharat journey.
New Delhi: Another major milestone is soon to be scripted by the Indian Navy, as it strides towards its indigenous warship-building journey.
On November 24, the first vessel under the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) project, ‘Mahe’, will be commissioned at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.
'Mahe' is built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi. It showcases India’s vision of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. The vessel is designed to hunt down enemy submarines in the sea with clinical precision.
Why is 'Mahe' so special?
Named after the coastal town of Mahe on India’s western seaboard, the vessel embodies India’s rich maritime heritage and the resilient spirit of its coastline.
‘Mahe’ has been specially designed for operations in littoral zones — shallow waters where detecting and neutralising submarines is particularly challenging. But for Mahe, this is a cakewalk. It is compact and formidable.
Its design and built
It is the first in a series of eight ASW SWC ships being built by CSL. The ship is about 78 metres long and has a displacement of roughly 1,100 tonnes. Over 80% of its components are indigenous, reflecting India’s growing expertise in warship design and construction. The ship’s crest has an ‘Urumi’, the flexible sword of Kalaripayattu, symbolising the perfect mix of agility, precision, and lethal grace.
The ship’s motto is 'Silent Hunters', which embodies stealth, vigilance and unwavering resolve.
Its strategic capabilities
It is designed to hunt submarines with ease, carry out coastal patrols, and secure India’s critical sea lanes. The ship also features capabilities for underwater surveillance, low-intensity maritime operations (LIMO), and advanced mine-laying.
Equipped with torpedoes, multi-functional anti-submarine rockets, and advanced radar and sonar systems, the vessel has the ability to detect and neutralise underwater threats with precision. Its blend of firepower, stealth, and mobility makes it a formidable platform for deep-water operations. ‘Mahe’ embodies agility, precision, and endurance — qualities essential for dominating the littoral zone.
Boost to Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign
The commissioning of 'Mahe' is a huge boost to the Indian Navy’s indigenisation policy. The warship marks a significant step toward self-reliance in India’s defence manufacturing capabilities.
The commissioning of 'Mahe' will usher in a new era of indigenous shallow-water combatants - sleek, swift, and truly Indian.