The Indian Navy is set to induct INS Malvan into active service on July 22, 2026, marking another important milestone in India’s indigenous naval shipbuilding programme. As the second Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), the vessel reflects the Navy’s continued focus on enhancing coastal defence through domestically developed platforms.
Designed to operate in shallow coastal waters, INS Malvan has been developed to detect, track, and counter underwater threats that pose risks to India’s maritime security. Equipped with modern anti-submarine warfare systems and advanced surveillance technologies, the vessel will strengthen the Navy’s capability to protect strategic ports, naval installations, offshore assets, and key shipping routes along the country’s coastline.
Apart from anti-submarine operations, the warship is capable of carrying out maritime surveillance, coastal patrols, search and rescue missions, and low-intensity security operations. Its multi-role capability will allow the Indian Navy to respond more effectively to a wide range of coastal and littoral security challenges.
INS Malvan is part of the eight-vessel Mahe-class ASW Shallow Water Craft programme, jointly being executed by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE). The programme is intended to replace older anti-submarine vessels with modern, technology-driven platforms featuring a high level of indigenous content. It also supports the Government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives by promoting domestic defence manufacturing.
The commissioning of INS Malvan comes as the Indian Navy continues to expand and modernise its fleet to address evolving maritime security challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). With increasing strategic activity across the region, specialised shallow-water anti-submarine vessels have become an essential component of India’s layered maritime defence strategy.
Once inducted, INS Malvan will further enhance the Navy’s operational readiness while reinforcing India’s commitment to building a technologically advanced and self-reliant naval force capable of safeguarding the nation’s maritime interests.