Mumbai. The Indian Navy on Monday commissioned INS Mahe, the first of the Mahe-class anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW-SWC), which is expected to enhance its combat capability. Organized by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, the ceremony was presided over by Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi.
India’s growing expertise in warship construction
The launch of Mahe marks the arrival of a new generation of indigenous shallow water combat aircraft – sleek, fast and completely Indian. With over 80 per cent indigenous content, the Mahe-class warships reflect India’s growing proficiency in design, construction and integration.
INS Mahe will serve as a ‘silent hunter’ on the western seaboard – driven by self-reliance and dedicated to protecting India’s maritime borders. Mahe is designed for missions such as detection and destruction of submarines in shallow waters, coastal surveillance and maritime border security.
Will play an important role in coastal security
This ship will play an important role in coastal security due to its firepower, stealth technology and mobility. Compact in size but extremely powerful in capabilities, Mahe epitomizes agility, accuracy and long operational capability in coastal areas.
What is Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft?
Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) are warships designed to detect and destroy submarines in the shallow waters of coastal areas. These ships enhance the coastal defense capability of the Navy and are equipped with systems such as advanced sonar, torpedoes and rocket launchers. These ships can also perform tasks like detecting enemy submarines, carrying out search and rescue operations and laying mines.
The country will sleep peacefully because you will remain awake – Army Chief
At the grand commissioning ceremony of the Indian Navy’s new warship INS Mahe in Mumbai, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said that this occasion is not only a matter of pride, but also a powerful symbol of the country’s growing self-reliance and maritime power. He first congratulated the Commanding Officer of the ship and the entire team for organizing a wonderful event, saying ‘Bravo Zulu’.
‘This ship is proof of India’s growing potential’
General Dwivedi said INS Mahe is the first ship among the eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts to be built by the Cochin Shipyard. This ship is a testament to India’s growing capability to design, build and deploy complex warships on its own. He said that today more than 75% of the Navy’s platforms are completely indigenous, which is a strong indication of India’s technological self-reliance.
‘From now on the responsibility rests on your shoulders’
He said that Mahe’s name is associated with India’s maritime heritage and the ship is moving forward with the spirit of innovation and service. Its induction will further strengthen the Navy’s near-sea dominance capability, coastal security and protection of maritime interests. In his address, the Army Chief gave a message to the officers and sailors of the ship, ‘From now on, the responsibility lies on your shoulders. A ship is as strong as the sailor who sails it. The country will sleep peacefully because you will remain awake, and the tricolor will keep flying because you will protect it.
‘A living example of excellent coordination between the three armies’
He described the coordination between the three armies as the real strength of national security. He said, ‘Sea, land and sky, together they form a continuous line of security. Therefore, Army, Navy and Air Force are the trinity of strategic power of the country. He said that in today’s multi-domain warfare, only this coordination will decide to what height India can take its security and influence. Referring to Operation Sindoor, he said that it was a living example of the excellent coordination of the three armies.
Army Chief congratulates INS Mahe and crew
At the end of the ceremony, General Dwivedi, while wishing all the best for INS Mahe and its crew, said – ‘When this ship hoists its flag today, it carries with it not only the hopes of the Navy but the confidence of the entire nation. May it be successful in every mission, may the sea always be favourable, and may its sailors continue to serve the nation with full courage.