Commonwealth_ India_ Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) launched two advanced anti-submarine warfare shallow water crafts (ASW SWCs) constructed for the Indian Navy. These vessels are part of a series of eight such ships currently being built at CSL under a defense contract signed with the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The launch ceremony, held with traditional rituals including a ceremonial puja, was attended by senior naval officials and dignitaries, including the Southern Naval Command Chief, Vice Admiral V. Srinivas, who served as the chief guest. CSL’s Chairman and Managing Director, along with other directors, key officials from the shipyard, and senior representatives of the Indian Navy, were present during the occasion, highlighting the significance of this launch for India’s naval defense capabilities.
The contract for constructing the eight anti-submarine warfare vessels was signed on April 30, 2019, between CSL and the Ministry of Defence. The project is a vital part of the Indian Navy‘s modernization efforts, aimed at enhancing coastal defense and bolstering the country’s maritime security. The eight vessels, classified as “Mahe Class” ships, are set to replace the aging in-service Abhay-class ASW corvettes that have been part of the Indian Navy’s fleet for years. According to CSL’s official statement, the Mahe Class ships are designed to perform a variety of critical naval operations. These include anti-submarine warfare in coastal waters, Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and Mine Laying Operations. Additionally, the vessels are equipped to carry out subsurface surveillance, a crucial capability in modern naval warfare, particularly in securing India’s vast coastline and maintaining maritime security in the region.
The two ASW shallow water crafts launched on Monday are built with indigenous technology and feature advanced design elements. Each vessel measures 78 meters in length, 11.36 meters in width, and has a draught of approximately 2.7 meters. With a displacement of around 900 tons, the ships are designed to be agile and highly maneuverable, offering a maximum speed of 25 knots. The endurance of these vessels is estimated at 1,800 nautical miles, which allows them to operate effectively over extended periods in Indian coastal waters and beyond. One of the standout features of the Mahe Class vessels is their integration with state-of-the-art SONAR systems, developed indigenously for underwater surveillance. These SONAR systems are critical for anti-submarine warfare as they enable the detection and tracking of submarines and other underwater threats. The inclusion of such advanced technology not only improves the operational efficiency of the Indian Navy but also highlights India’s progress in building indigenous defense capabilities.
The launch of these two vessels marks a significant step in India’s broader efforts to modernize its naval fleet and enhance its maritime defense strategy. The Indian Navy has been focused on upgrading its assets to meet evolving security challenges in the Indian Ocean region, where naval activity has seen an uptick due to strategic and geopolitical factors. The ASW SWCs will play a crucial role in safeguarding India’s coastline, detecting and neutralizing potential submarine threats, and supporting broader naval operations. The addition of these shallow watercrafts will significantly improve the Indian Navy’s ability to conduct anti-submarine operations in coastal areas, where larger vessels may not be as effective. Furthermore, their versatility in performing LIMO and Mine Laying Operations adds to their strategic value in both peacetime and conflict scenarios.
With the construction of the remaining six vessels progressing on schedule, CSL is poised to deliver the full fleet of ASW shallow water crafts in the coming years. This project reinforces the shipyard’s reputation as a key player in India’s defense manufacturing sector and underscores the country’s focus on self-reliance in defense production under the “Make in India” initiative.
