Navy to Commission Indigenous ‘Mahe’ ASW Craft
First Mahe-class vessel to join fleet in Mumbai on Monday
- Mahe becomes first Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft
- Over 80% indigenous content; built by Cochin Shipyard Limited
- Designed for submarine hunting, coastal patrol and littoral dominance
- Navy Day celebrations on Dec 3 to showcase operational capabilities
GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 24th Nov: The Indian Navy will commission Mahe, the first vessel of the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on Monday. The ceremony, hosted by Vice-Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, will be presided over by Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi.
According to the Navy, the commissioning of Mahe marks the arrival of a new generation of shallow-water combatants that are sleek, swift, and largely indigenous. With more than 80 per cent indigenous content, the Mahe-class reflects India’s growing capability in warship design, construction and systems integration.
Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, the vessel represents a major milestone in the Aatmanirbhar Bharat push in naval shipbuilding. Compact yet potent, Mahe has been designed for anti-submarine warfare roles, coastal patrol duties and securing vital maritime approaches. The ship combines firepower, stealth and high manoeuvrability, making it well-suited for dominating littoral zones.
Named after the historic coastal town of Mahe on the Malabar Coast, the ship’s crest features an Urumi—the flexible sword from Kalaripayattu—symbolising agility, precision and lethal grace. The Navy unveiled this crest last week, highlighting the cultural and martial heritage associated with the region.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway for Navy Day 2025, to be celebrated on December 3. The event will feature an operational demonstration at Shangumugham beach in Thiruvananthapuram, showcasing the Navy’s precision, professionalism and growing maritime capability. The celebration, traditionally held on December 4, has been advanced by a day as part of the Navy’s initiative to host the event away from major naval bases. Previous demonstrations were held in Puri (Odisha) and Sindhudurg (Maharashtra).
