Daijiworld Media Network - Kochi
Kochi, Oct 24: India’s quest for self-reliance in defence manufacturing received a major boost as Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) handed over Mahe, the first in a series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), to the Indian Navy.
The vessel was formally delivered during a ceremony where CSL’s Director (Operations) Dr. S. Harikrishnan and Commanding Officer-Designate Commander Amit Chandra Choubey signed the acceptance documents. The event witnessed the presence of Rear Admiral R. Adhisrinivasan, Chief Staff Officer (Technical), Western Naval Command; Commodore Anup Menon, Superintendent, Warship Production, Kochi; and several senior naval and shipyard officials.
Indigenously designed and constructed under the classification standards of Det Norske Veritas (DNV), Mahe is a 78-metre-long vessel — the largest Indian naval ship powered by a diesel engine-waterjet propulsion system. This configuration ensures superior speed, agility, and operational flexibility in shallow waters.
Designed for multiple missions, Mahe will play a vital role in underwater surveillance, search and rescue operations, mine-laying, and low-intensity maritime warfare. Equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and advanced communication systems, the vessel will significantly bolster India’s coastal defence and anti-submarine capabilities.
Officials highlighted that Mahe embodies the true spirit of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat, featuring over 90 per cent indigenous components. Most machinery, sensors, and onboard systems have been sourced from Indian manufacturers, underscoring the maturity and technical strength of the nation’s defence industry.
The successful delivery of Mahe marks a proud milestone in the Indian Navy’s indigenisation efforts and adds a powerful asset to its shallow-water combat fleet. The remaining seven vessels of the ASW SWC series are under various stages of construction at CSL and will be delivered in a phased manner in the coming years.
Cochin Shipyard Limited, one of India’s leading shipbuilding and repair facilities, is certified to ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, and 27001 standards and has been consistently recognised for excellence in innovation and indigenous capability by the Government of India.