The Indian Navy has commissioned INS Malvan, the second vessel of the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), marking a significant milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen its underwater warfare and coastal defence capabilities.
The induction of INS Malvan enhances the Navy’s ability to monitor and respond to submarine threats in shallow waters, coastal regions, and strategically important maritime zones. The vessel has been designed specifically for anti-submarine operations in littoral environments, where conventional larger warships may face operational challenges.
Built as part of India’s indigenous naval shipbuilding programme, INS Malvan represents the growing capabilities of the country’s domestic defence industry. The vessel has been developed with advanced systems to support submarine detection, surveillance, and maritime security missions.
The Mahe-class ASW Shallow Water Craft are equipped to conduct specialised roles, including detecting and tracking hostile submarines, conducting underwater surveillance, protecting naval assets, and supporting coastal security operations. These vessels will play an important role in safeguarding India’s extensive coastline and critical maritime infrastructure.
The commissioning of INS Malvan comes amid increasing focus on underwater domain awareness in the Indian Ocean Region. With rising submarine activities by regional and global powers, strengthening anti-submarine warfare capabilities has become a key priority for the Indian Navy.
The new vessel is part of the Navy’s broader modernisation efforts aimed at building a technologically advanced and self-reliant maritime force. The Mahe-class programme also reflects the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative by promoting indigenous defence manufacturing and reducing dependence on foreign platforms.
INS Malvan joins the Indian Navy at a time when maritime security challenges are becoming more complex. Its induction will provide additional operational flexibility to the Navy and enhance its capability to maintain surveillance and control over India’s coastal waters.
The commissioning of the second Mahe-class ASW-SWC is another step towards strengthening India’s underwater warfare readiness and ensuring a robust maritime defence posture in the Indian Ocean Region.