India has taken another significant step toward strengthening its maritime security and expanding its indigenous defense capabilities with the commissioning of the INS Mahe, a new-generation anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASWSWC). Launched on November 24, the vessel marks the beginning of a planned fleet of eight such ships designed and built domestically at the Cochin Shipyard, under the broader framework of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s flagship ‘Make in India’ initiative.

The addition of INS Mahe comes at a time when New Delhi is rapidly modernizing its naval forces to counter emerging threats in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), where regional rivalries, submarine incursions, and shifting geopolitical dynamics have made maritime vigilance a top priority. With India’s long coastline and strategic sea lanes, the vessel is expected to play a critical role in coastal defense, shallow-water operations, and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions.

According to the Indian Defense Ministry, the INS Mahe has been equipped with advanced sensors, communication systems, and weapons capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralizing underwater threats with high precision. Designed specifically for operations in littoral zones-areas close to the shore-the ship is built to sustain prolonged patrol missions in shallow waters, where hostile submarines often seek cover.

The ministry emphasised that the ship incorporates “technologically advanced machinery and control systems,” a statement that reflects India’s growing ambition to reduce its reliance on foreign defense suppliers and develop homegrown capabilities that match global standards.

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