INS Mahe Commissioning: India’s First Indigenous Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft INS Mahe Commissioning Joins Western Naval Command

Key Highlights

• INS Mahe, the first Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, was commissioned on November 24, 2025, at Naval Dockyard Mumbai with over 80% indigenous content
• The 78-meter vessel built by Cochin Shipyard Limited features advanced diesel engine-waterjet propulsion, making it the largest Indian naval warship with this configuration
• General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff, presided over the INS Mahe commissioning ceremony hosted by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command

Opening Overview

The INS Mahe commissioning ceremony marked a pivotal moment in India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities on November 24, 2025. The Indian Navy inducted its first Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft during a formal ceremony at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, with General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, serving as the chief guest. This INS Mahe commissioning represents a significant milestone in the country’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, showcasing advanced warship design and construction capabilities. Named after the historic coastal town on the Malabar Coast, the vessel embodies India’s growing self-reliance in naval shipbuilding with sophisticated anti-submarine warfare capabilities designed specifically for coastal and shallow water operations.

The INS Mahe commissioning adds considerable strength to the Indian Navy’s ability to counter underwater threats in littoral zones. Built entirely by Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi, the vessel is the lead ship in a series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft planned for induction. With participation from BEL, L&T Defence, Mahindra Defence Systems, NPOL, and over 20 MSMEs, the INS Mahe commissioning demonstrates the maturity of India’s defence industrial ecosystem. The vessel’s combat suite integrates multiple advanced systems into a compact yet powerful network capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralizing sub-surface threats with precision.

Shot in the arm for India’s maritime prowess!#IndianNavy commissions #INSMahe – an indigenous Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft

In a landmark moment reflecting unprecedented synergy, mutual trust and seamless jointness shaping today’s #IndianArmedForces,… https://t.co/VS64VSLW89 pic.twitter.com/rQozODsrlt

— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) November 24, 2025

Indigenous Design Excellence and Technical Specifications

• INS Mahe measures 78 meters in length and displaces approximately 1,100 tonnes, making it the largest Indian naval warship powered by diesel engine-waterjet propulsion
• The vessel boasts over 80% indigenous content, with materials, machinery, sensors, and onboard systems sourced from Indian manufacturers
• Advanced propulsion system ensures superior maneuverability and operational flexibility in shallow coastal waters

The INS Mahe commissioning highlights India’s technological advancement in naval architecture and marine engineering. Cochin Shipyard Limited designed and constructed the vessel under Det Norske Veritas (DNV) classification standards, ensuring international quality benchmarks. The INS Mahe commissioning showcases a sophisticated diesel engine-waterjet combination that provides exceptional agility and speed characteristics crucial for anti-submarine warfare operations in restricted waters. This propulsion configuration represents a significant departure from conventional systems and demonstrates CSL’s engineering capabilities.

The vessel’s indigenous content percentage exceeds 80%, reflecting the depth of India’s defence manufacturing capabilities. During the INS Mahe commissioning, officials emphasized that most materials, machinery, sensors, and communication systems were sourced domestically, supporting the government’s self-reliance objectives. The collaboration between major defence contractors like BEL and L&T Defence, along with over 20 micro, small, and medium enterprises, showcases the expanding ecosystem supporting the INS Mahe commissioning and future naval projects. The vessel’s construction required specialized expertise in integrating complex systems into a compact platform optimized for shallow water operations.

Combat Capabilities and Operational Roles

• Primary mission: Anti-submarine warfare including subsurface surveillance, search and attack operations, and coordinated missions with aircraft
• Secondary capabilities: Mine laying operations, search and rescue missions, and defence against hostile aircraft
• Weapons suite: State-of-the-art torpedoes, multi-functional anti-submarine rockets, NSG-30 gun, and 12.7mm SRCG
• Sensor systems: Hull Mounted Sonar, Low Frequency Variable Depth Sonar, advanced radars, and communication networks

The INS Mahe commissioning significantly enhances the Indian Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities in coastal zones. The vessel’s combat suite integrates sophisticated weapons, sensors, and communication systems enabling comprehensive detection, tracking, and engagement of underwater threats. During the INS Mahe commissioning ceremony, military officials highlighted the ship’s ability to sustain prolonged operations in shallow waters with technologically advanced machinery and control systems. The vessel’s design emphasizes stealth characteristics, reflected in its motto “Silent Hunters,” which underscores its operational philosophy of vigilance and readiness.

The INS Mahe commissioning provides the Indian Navy with enhanced flexibility in coastal defence operations. The vessel is equipped with Hull Mounted Sonar and Low Frequency Variable Depth Sonar systems that provide comprehensive underwater surveillance capabilities in challenging shallow water environments. The INS Mahe commissioning adds lethal firepower through its torpedo systems and anti-submarine rockets specifically designed to neutralize submarine threats in restricted waters. The ship’s mine-laying capabilities further extend its operational versatility, allowing it to establish defensive barriers in strategic coastal areas. The INS Mahe commissioning enables coordinated operations with larger surface combatants, submarines, and aviation assets to maintain constant vigilance across India’s maritime operational areas.

Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Defence Manufacturing Milestone

The INS Mahe commissioning exemplifies India’s progress toward defence self-reliance under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. General Upendra Dwivedi emphasized during the INS Mahe commissioning ceremony that the vessel reflects India’s growing ability to design, construct, and field complex combatants using indigenous technology. The INS Mahe commissioning demonstrates the maturity of India’s naval design and shipbuilding ecosystem, with Cochin Shipyard Limited successfully integrating contributions from major defence contractors and numerous small-scale manufacturers. This collaborative approach during the INS Mahe commissioning sets a precedent for future naval construction projects and strengthens the domestic defence industrial base.

The INS Mahe commissioning reduces India’s dependence on foreign platforms for critical naval capabilities. With more than 80% indigenous content, the vessel showcases domestic manufacturing capacity across materials, machinery, sensors, and communication systems. The INS Mahe commissioning involved extensive collaboration between Cochin Shipyard Limited and specialized firms including BEL for electronics, L&T Defence for systems integration, and Mahindra Defence Systems for various components. The participation of over 20 MSMEs in the INS Mahe commissioning project demonstrates how major naval programs can stimulate growth across India’s defence manufacturing sector. This indigenous content percentage positions the INS Mahe commissioning as a benchmark for future warship construction programs under the Make in India initiative.

Strategic Significance and Future Fleet Expansion

• Mahe-class series: Eight vessels planned, with seven additional ships in various construction stages at Cochin Shipyard Limited
• Operational deployment: Western Naval Command coastal defence and littoral dominance missions
• Integration capabilities: Seamless coordination with surface combatants, submarines, and aviation assets

The INS Mahe commissioning strengthens India’s coastal security architecture and near-sea dominance capabilities. General Upendra Dwivedi highlighted during the INS Mahe commissioning that the vessel will significantly augment the Indian Navy’s capacity to ensure coastal security and safeguard maritime interests across littoral zones. The INS Mahe commissioning provides the Western Naval Command with a dedicated platform for shallow water anti-submarine operations, filling a critical capability gap in India’s naval force structure. The vessel’s deployment will enhance underwater domain awareness and enable more effective monitoring of coastal approaches against submarine intrusions.

The INS Mahe commissioning initiates the induction of a new ship class that will progressively strengthen naval capabilities. Cochin Shipyard Limited is constructing seven additional Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, with deliveries planned in a phased manner over coming years. The INS Mahe commissioning establishes operational protocols and validates design characteristics that will benefit subsequent vessels in the series. The sixth vessel, named Magdala, was launched in October 2025, demonstrating steady progress in the construction program. The complete INS Mahe commissioning series will form the first line of coastal defence, integrating with larger platforms to maintain comprehensive maritime surveillance and combat readiness.

Closing Assessment

The INS Mahe commissioning on November 24, 2025, represents a defining moment in India’s journey toward indigenous defence capabilities and naval modernization. The vessel’s induction into the Western Naval Command enhances the Indian Navy’s ability to counter submarine threats in shallow coastal waters while demonstrating the country’s technological competence in complex warship design and construction. The INS Mahe commissioning, with its 80% indigenous content and sophisticated combat systems, validates India’s strategic vision of self-reliance in critical defence sectors. As the lead ship in an eight-vessel series, the INS Mahe commissioning establishes a foundation for enhanced coastal security and sets new standards for indigenous naval shipbuilding programs.

The INS Mahe commissioning ceremony, presided over by the Chief of Army Staff, underscored the vessel’s significance beyond naval operations, emphasizing multi-domain integration and joint operational capabilities. General Dwivedi’s presence at the INS Mahe commissioning highlighted the importance of inter-service cooperation and the vessel’s role in India’s comprehensive maritime security strategy. The INS Mahe commissioning reaffirms the Indian Navy’s commitment to being combat ready, cohesive, and self-reliant while safeguarding maritime interests for a developed and prosperous India. With its blend of stealth, firepower, and indigenous technology, the INS Mahe commissioning marks the arrival of a new generation of coastal combatants designed to protect India’s vast maritime frontiers.