Indian Navy receives ‘Mahe’, first anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft

T he Indian Navy inducted Mahe , the first of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWC) being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, under the larger 16-vessel ASW SWC programme. This programme, aimed at strengthening India’s coastal defence, is split between two shipyards, with CSL delivering the first vessel. The cost of building each ASW SWC is estimated at around ₹600-650 crore.

The ship is named Mahe after the historic port town in the Union Territory of Puducherry. Mahe was an important trading settlement on India’s Malabar Coast, and its name symbolizes the country’s rich maritime heritage and long-standing naval tradition.

Designed and constructed indigenously by CSL, Mahe underscores India’s growing self-reliance in warship construction and advanced naval technology. At approximately 78 metres in length, with a displacement of around 1,100 tons, the vessel is equipped for underwater surveillance, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and anti-submarine operations in coastal and shallow waters. It also boasts advanced mine-laying capabilities, a versatile weapons suite including torpedoes and multifunctional anti-submarine rockets, and cutting-edge radar and sonar systems, making it a formidable asset in littoral warfare.

How it will operate: In practice, Mahe will patrol India’s shallow coastal waters, using its sonar and radar systems to detect submarines attempting to enter strategic zones near ports or offshore installations. Upon detection, it can engage targets with torpedoes or anti-submarine rockets, while also laying mines to secure maritime approaches. For example, during a simulated coastal patrol exercise, Mahe can detect an approaching hostile submarine and neutralize it before it reaches sensitive areas, ensuring protection of critical sea lanes.

With over 80% indigenous content, Mahe not only strengthens India’s anti-submarine capabilities but also underscores the nation’s push towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing. The vessel’s induction comes at a time when securing maritime boundaries and protecting vital sea lanes is strategically crucial, and it will play a key role in bolstering coastal security infrastructure.

The delivery of Mahe marks a milestone in the Navy’s journey towards a modern, self-reliant fleet, setting the stage for the remaining vessels in the 16-ship ASW SWC programme, which are expected to further augment India’s maritime dominance in shallow waters.