INS Malvan Joins Navy’s Anti-submarine Fleet

New Delhi, Karwar: INS Malvan, the second indigenously designed and built Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), was commissioned into the Indian Navy at Naval Base Karwar on Wednesday, strengthening India's coastal defence and underwater warfare capabilities.

The commissioning ceremony was presided over by Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, in the presence of Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.

Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi, INS Malvan is the second of eight Mahe-class ASW-SWCs under construction and the sixth of 16 shallow water anti-submarine warfare vessels planned for induction into the Navy. With over 80 per cent indigenous content, the ship reflects India's push towards self-reliance in defence shipbuilding, naval design and system integration.

Named after the coastal town of Malvan in Maharashtra, the vessel draws inspiration from the region's maritime legacy associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and carries forward the legacy of an earlier inshore naval minesweeper that served the Navy until 2003. The ship's crest features the 'Bagh Nakha' (tiger's claw), symbolising agility and combat capability, while its motto, Silent Claws, reflects its stealth and rapid strike capabilities.

The 78.8-metre-long warship displaces about 1,150 tonnes and is powered by three diesel engine water-jet propulsors, providing high manoeuvrability and a low acoustic signature suited for shallow-water anti-submarine operations. It is equipped for underwater surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, mine warfare and low-intensity maritime operations, enhancing coastal security and maritime domain awareness.

Its combat systems include a 30-mm naval support gun, lightweight torpedo launchers, indigenous rocket launchers, the Abhay hull-mounted sonar and the Mareech torpedo decoy system. A combat management system developed by Bharat Electronics Limited and WESEE integrates sensors and weapons, while electronic warfare systems include Varuna (ESM) and Nayan (COMINT). A digital integrated platform management system controls propulsion and onboard machinery.

Addressing the gathering, Air Chief Marshal Singh stressed that secure sea lines of communication are vital for India's trade, economic growth and national security.

"We all understand how important maritime security and maritime power for India's growth is. Indian Navy is playing a vital role in ensuring we have secure sea lines of communication and that India's trade and growth continue unhindered," he said.

Referring to global conflicts and disruptions, he said uninterrupted maritime trade was essential for national progress and praised the Navy's success in indigenous shipbuilding. He said the Indian Air Force could learn from the Navy's model of embedding officers in shipbuilding projects from the design stage to accelerate self-reliance in military aviation.

Emphasising the need for faster technological development, he said, "Any technology delayed is technology denied," adding that timely development of indigenous capabilities was critical to keeping India's armed forces operationally relevant.

The Air Chief Marshal also underscored the need for greater integration among the Army, Navy and Air Force, saying future military operations would increasingly require coordinated functioning of all three services.

INS Malvan — Silent Claws at sea

Class: Mahe-class ASW Shallow Water Craft

Role: Coastal anti-submarine warfare

Builder: Cochin Shipyard Limited

Indigenous content: Over 80%

Length: 78.8 metres

Displacement: About 1,150 tonnes

Propulsion: Three diesel-engine water-jet propulsors

Fleet position: Second of eight Mahe-class vessels; sixth of 16 ASW-SWCs

Mission capabilities

Underwater surveillance

Anti-submarine warfare

Mine warfare

Low-intensity maritime operations

Coastal defence and littoral security