In a significant boost to India’s maritime defence capabilities, ‘Mahe’, the first of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWC) being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, was officially delivered to the Indian Navy on 23 October 2025.
Named after the historic coastal town of Mahe in the Union Territory of Puducherry, the vessel represents India’s deep maritime heritage and strategic focus on strengthening indigenous shipbuilding capacity.
Designed and constructed entirely in India, ‘Mahe’ embodies the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, featuring over 80% indigenous content. The ship has been purpose-built to conduct underwater surveillance, low-intensity maritime operations (LIMO), and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions in coastal waters.
At approximately 78 metres in length and 1,100 tons displacement, the vessel is compact yet highly capable, integrating advanced radar, sonar, and electronic warfare systems. It is armed with lightweight torpedoes, multi-functional anti-submarine rockets, and equipped for mine-laying operations, making it a formidable asset in India’s coastal defence grid.
With the induction of the ASW SWC class, the Indian Navy will witness a substantial enhancement in its littoral surveillance and anti-submarine capabilities, ensuring greater maritime security and tactical readiness in the near-shore regions.
The successful delivery of ‘Mahe’ reinforces the Government of India’s commitment to naval self-reliance, underscoring CSL’s growing role as a premier shipbuilder capable of meeting the Navy’s complex operational requirements.
As India’s first of its class, INS Mahe stands as a proud testament to technological innovation, indigenous design excellence, and maritime self-sufficiency, paving the way for the future fleet of shallow-water anti-submarine vessels.
