The Indian Navy has commissioned INS Mahe, the first vessel in the indigenously designed and built Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC).
The craft was commissioned during a ceremony held at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on 24 November 2025.
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Chief of the Army Staff, general Upendra Dwivedi, presided over the event, which was hosted by vice admiral Krishna Swaminathan, flag officer commanding-in-chief of Western Naval Command.
Senior naval officers, representatives from Cochin Shipyard Limited (Kochi), and other guests also attended the commissioning.
INS Mahe is the lead ship in a series of eight vessels constructed by Cochin Shipyard.
The project involved contributions from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), L&T Defence, Mahindra Defence Systems, NPOL, and more than 20 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
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By GlobalDataThe ship incorporates over 80% indigenous content.
Designed for anti-submarine operations in coastal and shallow waters, INS Mahe is equipped with weapons, sensors, and communication systems that enable detection, tracking, and neutralisation of sub-surface threats.
The vessel can sustain lengthy operations in shallow water environments and features integrated machinery and control systems.
In a statement, India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) said: “The commissioning of INS Mahe adds significant punch to the Indian Navy’s ASW capabilities, particularly in countering threats in the littorals.”
The Mahe-class vessels are expected to serve as the first line of coastal defence and operate alongside larger surface ships, submarines, and aviation elements to maintain surveillance over India’s maritime areas.
INS Mahe takes its name from Mahe, a coastal town on the Malabar Coast noted for its association with maritime activity.
“INS Mahe reaffirms the Indian Navy’s status as Combat Ready, Cohesive, and Aatmanirbhar, safeguarding seas for a Viksit Samriddha Bharat,” the MoD added.
Recently, the Indian Navy commissioned Androth, the second ASW-SWC, at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on 6 October 2025.
