The Indian Navy is set to commission Mahe, the first vessel in a new class of Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on November 24. The commissioning marks a major step forward in India’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, Mahe is the first of eight ships in its class. Designed for operations in shallow waters, the vessel combines compactness with advanced technology, enabling it to perform a range of missions including anti-submarine warfare, coastal surveillance and the protection of strategic maritime zones.
With more than 80 per cent indigenous content, the Mahe-class represents a significant leap in India’s naval manufacturing expertise, showcasing the country’s progress in warship design, construction and systems integration. The ship is named after the coastal town of Mahe on the Malabar Coast. Its crest bears the image of an Urumi, a traditional flexible sword used in Kalaripayattu, symbolising agility and precision – traits reflected in the ship’s design.
The induction of Mahe will bolster the Navy’s ability to operate effectively in littoral waters and marks the arrival of a new generation of sleek and highly manoeuvrable combat platforms built in India.
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