Cochin Shipyard Hands Over First Indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft to Indian Navy

In a major step towards enhancing India’s undersea warfare capabilities, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has officially delivered the first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) to the Indian Navy.

The newly delivered vessel, part of the Mahe-class series, is the first of eight ships being constructed by CSL under a contract signed with the Ministry of Defence in 2019. Designed for swift and stealthy operations in coastal and shallow-water zones, the new ASW craft will play a vital role in detecting and countering enemy submarines close to Indian shores.

Built entirely in India, the warship reflects the country’s growing capability in indigenous defence manufacturing under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives. The vessel integrates advanced sonar systems, lightweight torpedoes, and modern communication suites to support anti-submarine, mine-laying, and search-and-rescue operations.

According to officials, the ship can achieve a top speed of around 25 knots and has an operational endurance of over 1,800 nautical miles, making it ideal for extended coastal surveillance and patrol missions. The design allows the vessel to operate efficiently in shallow waters where larger ships cannot maneuver effectively – a critical advantage in the sub-surface warfare environment.

The Mahe-class ASW-SWC will eventually replace the Abhay-class corvettes, which have served the Navy for decades. With the first vessel now delivered, the remaining ships in the series are progressing steadily at Cochin Shipyard and are expected to join the fleet in a phased manner over the next few years.

Defence experts say the addition of these vessels will significantly improve the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capability, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region, which continues to see increased submarine activity by regional powers.

The successful delivery highlights India’s growing shipbuilding expertise and strengthens the country’s position as a rising maritime power.