The Indian Navy has officially commissioned INS Mahe, a new anti-submarine warfare ship, at a ceremony in Mumbai. The event was attended by Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, highlighting cooperation between the Indian armed forces.
INS Mahe is the first of the Mahe-class shallow water ships, built entirely in India at Cochin Shipyard Limited. Around 80% of its parts are made in India, showing the country’s push for self-reliance in defense manufacturing. The ship is 78 metres long, weighs about 1,100 tonnes, and is designed for coastal and shallow water operations, where larger ships cannot operate easily.
The ship uses a diesel-engine water-jet system, which gives it speed and stealth. Its main job is to detect and fight submarines near India’s coasts, but it can also do underwater surveillance, mine-laying, coastal patrols, and low-intensity operations. INS Mahe carries lightweight torpedoes and anti-submarine rockets to attack enemy submarines. It also has modern sonar and radar systems, and special design features to reduce noise and remain hidden underwater.
The name Mahe comes from a small coastal town in Kerala, connecting the ship to India’s maritime heritage. Its crest shows an “Urumi”, a flexible sword from the Kalarippayattu martial art, symbolizing agility and precision. The ship’s mascot is a cheetah, representing speed, and its motto is “Silent Hunters”, reflecting its quiet operations under the sea.
Naval officials said that commissioning INS Mahe strengthens India’s coastal defense and shows that the country can build modern warships locally. The ship is the first of eight Mahe-class vessels planned by Cochin Shipyard, which will gradually replace older ships in the Navy’s shallow-water anti-submarine fleet.
INS Mahe is an important addition to India’s naval capabilities, combining speed, stealth, and advanced technology to protect the country’s coastline from underwater threats.
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