INS Mahe commissioned: India’s first Mahe-class ASW ship joins Navy fleet

India took a major step towards strengthening its maritime security and indigenisation goals with the commissioning of INS Mahe, the first vessel of the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC). The ceremony was held at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on Monday and was led by Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi, highlighting the growing synergy between the armed forces. The commissioning not only boosts coastal defence capabilities but also reinforces India’s ambition of becoming a fully self-reliant “Builders’ Navy.”

In his address, General Dwivedi underlined the significance of this milestone, stating that INS Mahe is a strong symbol of the Navy’s transformation into a force that designs, builds, and sustains its own combat platforms.

He proudly noted that more than 75 percent of the Navy’s capital acquisitions are now sourced indigenously ranging from warships and submarines to advanced sonar and weapon systems showcasing India’s growing industrial and technological power. This shift aligns closely with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, under which Indian public and private shipyards are emerging as competitive global players.

The INS Mahe has been constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), and General Dwivedi praised the shipyard for delivering the vessel with excellence and professionalism. He emphasized that the ship now enters a new phase, as responsibility passes to the Commanding Officer and the commissioning crew. “You are the custodians of her spirit, her discipline, and her fighting edge,” he said, reminding them that a warship is only as strong as the personnel who operate it. He further added that India’s tricolour will continue to fly high across the oceans because its defenders remain vigilant at sea, allowing the nation to sleep peacefully.

The ceremony was hosted by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, and included a guided tour of the newly commissioned ship. INS Mahe represents a modern leap in naval technology. Though compact in design, it is equipped with high firepower, precision navigation tools, stealth features, and rapid mobility.

Built specifically for littoral warfare, it is capable of detecting and neutralising enemy submarines, conducting coastal surveillance, and securing India’s maritime routes in an area increasingly important for national security and economic stability.

General Dwivedi also highlighted the importance of joint operations among the Army, Navy, and Air Force. He noted that the sea, land, and air are not separate arenas but a single continuum of national security, and modern warfare demands coordinated action across all domains. Referring to past operations, he said that missions like Operation Sindoor showcased the power of synergy, information warfare capabilities, and joint logistics.

INS Mahe stands not just as a new addition to the Navy’s fleet, but as a powerful symbol of India’s growing confidence, self-reliance, and strategic readiness. Its commissioning marks a decisive step toward maritime dominance and a future where Indian shipyards lead the way in building the nation’s defence capability.

The Mahe-class ships are small, agile naval vessels designed for coastal and shallow-water operations. Their main role is anti-submarine warfare, along with coastal patrols, surveillance, and protecting maritime approaches. They are indigenously built by Cochin Shipyard under India’s self-reliance initiative, and a total of 8 ships are being constructed, with INS Mahe being the first commissioned.The INS Mahe has a top speed of 25 knots.