Indian Navy to Commission Mahe, First Indigenous Shallow-Water ASW Craft
Indian Navy is set to commission the Anti-submarine Warfare - Shallow Water Craft (ASW- SWC) Mahe on November 24. Image courtesy: Indian Navy
India is set to add a significant new capability to its coastal defence network with the commissioning of INS Mahe, the first vessel in the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) series.
The ship will formally join the Indian Navy at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on Monday (November 24, 2025), marking another milestone in the country’s expanding indigenous shipbuilding programme.
What is INS Mahe?
Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Mahe is the first of eight shallow-water ASW vessels designed specifically for operations along India’s coastline, an increasingly critical theatre amid rising submarine activity in the region.
Delivered to the Navy in October, the 78-metre vessel reinforces the Navy’s push for modern, compact platforms capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralising underwater threats in the littorals.
How much of Mahe is indigenous?
With more than 8 indigenous content, Mahe stands as a flagship project under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, showcasing India’s growing expertise in warship design, construction, and systems integration.
Named after the historic port town of Mahe on the Malabar Coast, the vessel also carries a crest featuring the Urumi, the flexible Kalarippayattu sword symbolising agility and lethal precision—traits central to its mission profile.
What firepower does Mahe come packed with?
Despite its compact frame, Mahe packs considerable capability. It is equipped with torpedoes, Multifunctional Anti-Submarine Rockets (MARE), advanced radars and sonars, and mine-laying systems.
The ship is designed for underwater surveillance, low-intensity maritime operations, and coastal ASW missions—roles essential for securing India’s vital sea lanes and coastal infrastructure.
The induction of the Mahe-class will significantly strengthen the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare posture in shallow waters, where stealthy, manoeuvrable platforms are increasingly important.
For CSL and India’s defence ecosystem, the vessel’s commissioning represents not just a technological achievement but also a step toward positioning India as a future global hub for naval shipbuilding.
