Karwar, July 22, 2026: The Indian Navy commissioned INS Malvan, the second indigenously designed and built Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at Karwar on July 22, 2026, marking another significant milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen coastal defence and indigenous naval capabilities. The commissioning ceremony was presided over by Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, in the presence of Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. Senior naval officers, representatives from Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), veterans, and distinguished guests also attended the event.
INS Malvan is the second of eight Mahe-class ASW Shallow Water Craft being constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi and the sixth of the planned 16 ASW-SWCs to be inducted into the Indian Navy. Built with more than 80 percent indigenous content, the vessel highlights India’s growing expertise in defence shipbuilding, naval design, and systems integration while reinforcing the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative aimed at achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
The ship derives its name from the historic coastal town of Malvan in Maharashtra, a region closely associated with the rich maritime legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The vessel also honours the legacy of its predecessor, an Indian Naval inshore minesweeper named INS Malvan, which served the nation until its decommissioning in 2003.
Designed for modern naval warfare, INS Malvan is equipped to undertake underwater surveillance, anti-submarine warfare operations, low-intensity maritime operations, and mine warfare missions. The addition of the vessel will significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s ability to monitor underwater threats, strengthen coastal defence, improve littoral security, and boost maritime domain awareness across India’s extensive coastline.
The ship’s crest prominently features the ‘Bagh Nakha’ or Tiger’s Claw, symbolising bravery, agility, stealth, and audacity, qualities that reflect the operational ethos of the vessel. The surrounding waves represent the vast maritime domain that the Indian Navy is tasked with protecting and its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty. The ship’s motto, “Silent Claws,” embodies its ability to operate stealthily and strike adversaries swiftly and effectively.
Addressing the gathering, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh highlighted the growing importance of securing sea lines of communication to ensure uninterrupted maritime trade amid increasing global uncertainties. He praised the Indian Navy’s consistent progress in indigenous warship construction and noted that INS Malvan’s high indigenous content demonstrates India’s rapidly expanding defence industrial base. He also commended the Navy’s practice of embedding officers in the shipbuilding process, suggesting that similar initiatives across the armed forces could accelerate self-reliance in defence production.
The Chief of the Air Staff also reiterated the importance of tri-service integration, calling for seamless coordination between the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. He emphasised that future conflicts would require all three services to operate as a unified force, leveraging joint capabilities to effectively safeguard national security.
The commissioning of INS Malvan provides a significant boost to the Indian Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Designed to operate seamlessly alongside larger surface combatants, submarines, and naval aviation assets, the vessel will enhance India’s operational readiness and strengthen its ability to respond to evolving maritime challenges. As the Navy continues to modernise with indigenously built platforms, INS Malvan represents another important step towards building a combat-ready, credible, cohesive, and future-ready force capable of protecting India’s maritime interests across the Indian Ocean Region.
