Navy Commissions Third Mahe-Class Anti-Submarine Craft

Mumbai: In a boost to the Indian Navy’s ability to detect and counter enemy submarines in shallow coastal waters, INS Mangrol, the third Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), was commissioned in Mumbai on Monday. Made by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, it is indigenously built with its 80 percent local content.

Designed to operate in shallow and confined waters where larger warships may face limitations, the ship will help protect ports, harbours, and coastal approaches against underwater threats.

INS Mangrol is equipped with the Abhay hull-mounted sonar, lightweight torpedoes, an indigenous anti-submarine rocket launcher and the Mareech Advanced Torpedo Decoy System. Together, these systems help the ship detect and track underwater threats, engage hostile submarines, and deploy countermeasures against incoming torpedoes.

Powered by three diesel engines and fitted with waterjet propulsion, the ship has high manoeuvrability, making it suitable for operations in shallow and confined waters. Beyond anti-submarine warfare, it can conduct underwater surveillance, low-intensity maritime operations, and mine warfare tasks.

It can also work alongside maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters and other naval vessels to strengthen surveillance and anti-submarine operations.

The commissioning ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command. Addressing the gathering, Vice Admiral Vatsayan said that the ship, with more than 80 per cent indigenous content, demonstrates India’s engineering capabilities, technological progress and national resolve.

“For India, with its extensive coastline, islands and vital maritime trade routes, the ability to maintain a credible, responsive and combat-ready Navy is indispensable,” he said.

Highlighting the Navy’s expansion, Vatsayan said that 10 ships had been commissioned in 2026, with another eight expected to be commissioned soon. He also said that by 2034, around 60 per cent of the Navy’s platforms were expected to have an average age of less than ten years.

“The Navy had commissioned 10 ships in 2026, with another eight expected to enter service by the end of the year. Our fleet currently comprises 151 platforms, including 131 ships and 20 submarines,” he said.

“We currently have 42 ships under construction at Indian shipyards, while Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) has been accorded for another 69 ships, six submarines and 120 Fast Interceptor Craft. With these additions, our fleet is projected to grow to more than 170 platforms over the next few years, with a new ship being commissioned every 40 to 50 days. By 2034, approximately 60 per cent of our platforms are expected to be less than 10 years old on average,” Vatsayan added.

INS Mangrol is named after the coastal town of Mangrol in Gujarat’s Junagadh district, which is also a prominent fishing harbour. The ship carries forward the legacy of the earlier INS Mangrol, a minesweeper that served the Indian Navy until 7 April 2004. The new vessel is designed to meet the challenges of contemporary maritime security.

INS Mangrol, the third vessel in the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) series. The first vessel in the series, INS Mahe, was commissioned at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on November 24, 2025. The second, INS Malvan, was commissioned at Karwar Naval Base on July 22, 2026. INS Mangrol was delivered to the Navy on March 31, 2026, ahead of its commissioning.