Indian Navy commissions indigenous anti-submarine warfare vessel INS Mahe

The Navy said that with her blend of firepower, stealth and mobility, the ship is designed to hunt submarines, conduct coastal patrols, and secure India's vital maritime approaches.

Mumbai: Adding punch to the capabilities of the Indian Navy and giving a boost to indigenisation, INS Mahe, the first of the eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), was commissioned into the blue-water force on Monday.

The commissioning of INS Mahe marks the arrival of a "new generation" of indigenous shallow-water combatants.

The Mahe-class will form the first line of coastal defence, integrating seamlessly with larger surface combatants, submarines, and aviation assets to maintain constant vigilance over India’s maritime areas of operation.

The impressive commissioning ceremony at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai was presided over by General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of the Army Staff.

Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, led the Indian Navy at the event.

Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kochi, INS Mahe represents the cutting edge of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in naval ship design and construction.

"As INS Mahe hoists the ensign today, she carries not just the hopes of the Navy but the collective faith of a nation that stands behind her. May her voyages be safe, her missions successful, and her crew steadfast in the service of India. I wish the commanding officer, officers and all hands fair winds, following seas and fathoms below keel in every mission ahead,” said Gen Dwivedi.

According to him, INS Mahe marks not only the induction of a potent new maritime platform, but also reflects India’s growing ability to design, construct and field complex combatants using indigenous technology.

He emphasised that the induction of the ship will significantly augment the Indian Navy’s capacity to ensure near-sea dominance, strengthen the coastal security grid and safeguard India’s maritime interests across the littorals.

The Indian Army chief further underscored that the strength of the Armed Forces lies in synergy across land, sea and air, noting that future conflicts will be multi-domain and require united national effort.

Citing Operation Sindoor as a model of jointness, he also highlighted the Army and Navy’s long-standing partnership in HADR and amphibious operations worldwide.

Designed and constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi, INS Mahe is the lead ship of eight vessels in her class. Drawing on the expertise of BEL, L&T Defence, Mahindra Defence Systems, NPOL, and more than 20 MSMEs, the project reinforces India’s expanding ecosystem of naval design, equipment, and system integration. INS Mahe stands as a shining symbol of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

With over 80% indigenous content, the ship underscores the Indian Navy’s sustained efforts to promote indigenisation through homegrown solutions and innovative technologies.

The commissioning of INS Mahe adds significant punch to the Indian Navy’s ASW capabilities, particularly in countering threats in the littorals.

The ship’s combat suite blends multiple systems into a compact yet potent network. She is specially designed to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal and shallow waters. Fitted with advanced weapons, sensors, and communication systems enabling it to detect, track, and neutralise sub-surface threats with precision, the ship can sustain prolonged operations in shallow waters and features technologically advanced machinery and control systems.