Indian Navy commissioned INS Mahe, the first vessel of the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, at a ceremony held on November 24 at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. Named after the historic coastal town of Mahe on the Malabar coast, the vessel carries the motto Silent Hunters, reflecting its focus on stealth and vigilance.

INS Mahe is specifically designed for anti-submarine operations in shallow waters, significantly strengthening coastal defence. Equipped with torpedoes and anti-submarine rockets, it can hunt submarines, conduct coastal patrols and secure critical maritime approaches. The ship features an ‘Urumi’ on its crest, symbolising agility and precision.

Further, this specific ASW-SWC class measures 78 metres in length with a displacement of around 900 tonnes and a top speed of 25 knots, said reports. Its compact design allows high manoeuvrability in both deep and shallow waters. The vessel was delivered to the Navy on October 23. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, it is the first of eight ASW-SWC vessels to be delivered by 2027.

Defence experts describe the commissioning as strategically significant. Officials mentioned that submarines are becoming central to modern naval warfare, pointing out Pakistan’s acquisition of six Hangor-class submarines from China and China’s rapid expansion of its underwater fleet. With up to 15 submarines currently under construction in Chinese dockyards, the induction of INS Mahe comes at a crucial time.