India’s naval capabilities received a significant boost this week as the country welcomed the ‘Mahe,’ the inaugural vessel in a new series of advanced anti-submarine warships crafted entirely within India. The Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kochi successfully constructed Mahe, the first of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts slated to bolster the Indian Navy’s fleet in the upcoming years.
Christened after the historic port town of Mahe in Puducherry, this vessel symbolizes India’s rich maritime legacy and escalating prowess in warship development and manufacturing. Measuring approximately 78 meters in length and weighing about 1,100 tonnes, Mahe may be compact but packs a powerful punch. It houses torpedoes, versatile anti-submarine rockets, and advanced radar and sonar systems enabling precise detection of underwater threats. Additionally, the ship is capable of underwater surveillance, laying naval mines if necessary, and participating in smaller-scale coastal operations known as Low Intensity Maritime Operations.
Over 80% of Mahe’s components, from design to equipment, are domestically sourced, underscoring India’s progression towards self-reliance in defense production under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The inclusion of Mahe will significantly bolster the Navy’s capability to monitor and counter submarine activities along India’s coastlines, fortifying security in the adjacent waters.
Officials confirmed the handover of the vessel to the Navy on October 23 in Kochi, with expectations for the remaining ships in the series to follow suit in the coming years.