Aatmanirbhar Bharat Triumph: Indian Navy Welcomes ‘Silent Hunter’ INS Mahe

The Indian Navy has added a powerful new guardian to its coastal arsenal with the commissioning of INS Mahe , the first vessel of the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC). The ceremony, held at the Mumbai Naval Dockyard, marked a major boost to India’s maritime security and indigenous shipbuilding strength.

Presiding over the event, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi praised the crew and the nation’s growing self-reliance. “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,” he said.

"This marks our nation's increasing capability to design, construct and field complex combatants with indigenous technology," he added further.

A Compact Powerhouse for Coastal Defence

Delivered on October 23, 2025, INS Mahe is built for swift, high-intensity missions in coastal and shallow waters, areas where larger ships struggle to operate. Measuring 78 metres with a displacement of 1,100 tonnes, the vessel packs agility, stealth, and speed into a compact frame. It can hit a top speed of 25 knots, travel 1,800 nautical miles, and stay at sea for 14 days.

Designed for anti-submarine warfare, coastal patrol, mine-laying, and underwater surveillance, it is set to become a frontline asset for India’s littoral defence.

Indigenous Tech at the Heart

Over 80% of INS Mahe’s systems are made in India, a big win for domestic defence manufacturing. The ship is equipped with:

• Advanced propulsion and power systems
• Integrated combat management suite
• Indigenous medium-frequency hull-mounted sonar
• Multi-function surveillance radar
• Torpedo systems and ASW rocket launchers

These systems enable the ship to detect, track, and neutralise underwater threats with precision—especially in challenging shallow-water environments.

Built for Littoral Dominance

INS Mahe’s combat edge comes from next-gen sensors and weapons designed specifically for coastal waters. Its arsenal includes:

• Lightweight acoustic-homing torpedoes
• Multifunctional ASW rocket launchers
• Optional 30mm Remote Weapon Station
• Mine-laying rails for defensive patterns

Its shallow draught of under 3 metres allows it to operate close to the coastline, making it ideal for monitoring choke points, offshore assets, and areas where stealthy diesel-electric submarines may lurk.

A Name Rooted in Heritage

Named after the historic coastal town of Mahe on the Malabar Coast, the ship carries a crest featuring the Urumi, a flexible sword from Kalarippayattu. The symbol reflects the ship’s core qualities: agility, precision, and fluid lethality.

Strengthening India’s Coastal ASW Grid

INS Mahe is the first of eight ships in its class being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, with the rest to join the fleet by 2027. Together, they will replace the ageing Abhay-class corvettes, significantly boosting India’s anti-submarine surveillance and response capability along the coastline.

From coastal defence to mine warfare and protection of strategic infrastructure, INS Mahe is primed to secure India’s littorals with speed, stealth, and cutting-edge indigenous tech, a new wave in the Navy’s push for maritime dominance.