New Delhi: India’s journey toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing achieved a new milestone as Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) delivered Mahe, the first of eight indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWC), to the Indian Navy.
The vessel was officially handed over during a ceremony where CSL Director (Operations) Dr S Harikrishnan and Commander Amit Chandra Choubey, Commanding Officer-Designate of Mahe, signed the acceptance documents. The event was attended by senior naval officers, including Rear Admiral R Adhisrinivasan, Chief Staff Officer (Technical) of the Western Naval Command, and Commodore Anup Menon, Superintendent of Warship Production, Kochi.
Designed and built entirely in India, Mahe has been constructed under the classification standards of Det Norske Veritas (DNV). Measuring 78 metres in length, it is the largest Indian naval vessel equipped with a diesel engine–waterjet propulsion system, enabling high speed, superior manoeuvrability, and adaptability in shallow waters.
The ship is capable of performing multiple missions such as anti-submarine operations, underwater surveillance, coastal defence, search and rescue, mine-laying, and low-intensity maritime security duties. With advanced communication and sensor systems, Mahe will enhance the Navy’s surveillance and operational readiness in coastal and littoral zones.
Officials highlighted that over 90 per cent of the vessel’s components are sourced domestically, reflecting the progress of India’s Aatma Nirbhar Bharat initiative in defence production. Most materials, machinery, sensors, and onboard systems have been manufactured by Indian companies, underlining the growing strength of the country’s naval shipbuilding capabilities.
The delivery of Mahe marks a major step forward in modernising India’s shallow-water combat fleet. The remaining seven vessels in the ASW SWC series are under construction at CSL and will be delivered in a phased schedule over the coming years.
Cochin Shipyard, a key player in India’s shipbuilding sector, is known for its advanced infrastructure, technological innovation, and adherence to international quality and safety standards.
