Today (November 24), the Indian Navy will commission INS Mahe, the first vessel in the Mahe-class series of anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW-SWC), at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, will host the ceremony, which will be presided over by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi.
full information for Indian Navy below
India’s “Silent Hunter”
Mahe’s commissioning will usher in a new generation of indigenous shallow-water combatants that are sleek, fast, and unmistakably Indian.
Mahe, built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kochi, is at the forefront of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat navy ship design and building effort. The ship is compact but powerful, and it embodies agility, precision, and endurance, all of which are required to dominate the littorals.
With her combination of armament, stealth, and mobility, the ship is intended to hunt submarines, conduct coastal patrols, and protect India’s critical maritime accesses. She will act as a ‘Silent Hunter’ on the Western Seaboard, propelled by self-reliance and dedicated to protecting India’s maritime borders.
With over 80% domestic components, the Mahe-class demonstrates India’s rising expertise in warship design, building, and integration. The ship is named after the historic seaside town of Mahe on the Malabar Coast, and her crest displays a ‘Urumi’, Kalaripayattu’s flexible blade, which represents agility, precision, and lethal grace.
Why is ‘Mahe’ special?
It is a multipurpose battleship. This means that one ship can carry out several missions. INS Mahe is capable of carrying out a range of duties.
- Anti-Submarine Operations
- Coastal Defense and Security
- Underwater surveillance
- Search and rescue missions.
- Mine-laying capabilities
- Ability to operate efficiently in shallow waters.
Features and technical skills.
- The ‘Mahe’ is an anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft that can patrol, monitor, and conduct anti-submarine operations in coastal waters. Its low acoustic signature makes it very quiet in the water, making it harder for opposing submarines to detect.
- The ship’s displacement ranges from 896 to 1,100 tons, making it sturdy and well-balanced for its class.
- Length: The warship is 78 meters long, allowing it to move quickly while being stable.
- The beam of 11.26 meters allows it to function freely at sea.
- Draft: With a draft of 2.7 meters, it can readily operate in shallow waters—a significant advantage of the ASW-SWC class.
- Propulsion: The ‘Mahe’ has a water-jet propulsion system that allows for fast speeds and enhanced maneuverability. The ship’s agility is enhanced by its diesel engine and water-jet propulsion system, which allow it to perform rapid bends, change direction, and accelerate quickly.
- Speed: The battleship has a maximum speed of 25 knots (about 46 km/h), making it ideal for rapid reaction operations.
- Range: With a cruising speed of 14 knots, the ship can easily travel 1,800 nautical miles, making it perfect for coastal patrols.
- Boats carried: The ‘Mahe’ has two RHIBs (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats), which are excellent for rapid response and search-and-rescue operations.
- The ship has 57 crew members, including 7 officers and 50 sailors.
Advanced Sonar System
The sonar system aboard the cruiser ‘Mahe’ is one of its most critical and cutting-edge features. It acts as the Navy’s eyes and ears, detecting enemy submarines, mines, and other threats hidden in the ocean’s depths.
This cutting-edge sophisticated sonar system allows it to conduct underwater surveillance without producing any noise. Its low wave signature allows it to locate and effectively track hostile submarines.
DRDO Abhay Hull Mounted Sonar (HMS)
- The scientific group DRDO developed this advanced sonar system. It is fitted in the ship’s hull (bottom portion).
- It continuously monitors the region surrounding the ship.
- It is capable of detecting subsurface sounds, movements, and artificial items hidden underwater.
LFVDS: Low Frequency Variable Depth Sonar.
- This is a submersible sonar. It may be dropped into the water using a separate cable from the ship.
- It is particularly effective at detecting submarines in deep or changing waters.
- It works at a low frequency, enabling for long-range sound detection.
- It also operates in environments where surface sonar may find barriers.
Most important features
- It works at a low frequency, enabling for long-range sound detection.
- It also operates in environments where surface sonar may find barriers.
- 24/7 surveillance
- This ship can continuously monitor undersea activity.
- Accurate target identification.
- The contemporary sonar system offers accurate assessments of enemy submarines’ position, distance, and speed.
Weapons of the warship ‘Mahe’
The destroyer ‘Mahe’s’ weapon system makes it an effective anti-submarine warfare platform. Its primary mission is to neutralize hostile submarines, mines, and maritime hazards.
⚓ A new chapter at sea!
Mahe, the first of the indigenous Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, is set to join the #IndianNavy in Mumbai on 24 November 2025 🇮🇳⚓
Designed and built under the #MakeInIndia initiative, her induction marks a significant stride in… pic.twitter.com/xp4qAI33cN
— IN (@IndiannavyMedia) November 22, 2025
1. IRL Anti-submarine Rocket Launcher
- This is a multi-barrel rocket launcher built primarily for destroying submarines.
- It is a twelve-barreled rocket system.
- It is capable of penetrating deep oceans and attacking submarines at expected locations.
- The explosion occurs underwater, and the resulting shock wave damages the submarine.
- It is also placed on numerous major ships in the Indian Navy.
2. Naval Surface Gun: 30 mm
- This is a fast-firing surface-to-surface and surface-to-air defensive weapon.
- It protects against small ships, swift boats, and aerial threats.
- Its rapid firing rate enables it to respond rapidly in combat.
3. Three Lightweight Torpedo Launchers (ALWT)
- The ship has two triple torpedo launchers, which can fire a total of six torpedoes.
- They utilize Advanced Light Weight Torpedoes (ALWT).
- These torpedoes track enemy submarines underwater and target them precisely.
- Its main advantages include high speed, excellent guidance systems, and high precision.
4. Antisubmarine Mines
- Sea mines can be laid from the ship utilizing mine-laying rails.
- These mines detonate automatically when they come into contact with submarines or opposing ships.
- They play an important part in coastal security and anti-submarine operations.
5. 12.7 mm Stabilized Remote Controlled Gun (two pieces)
- These are remotely operated machine guns.
- Their stabilizing technology provides precise shooting even while the ship is moving.
- Ideal for anti-piracy, small quick attack vessels, and coastal security missions.
- The gun operator can safely operate them from aboard.
- The battleship ‘Mahe’ is outfitted with advanced anti-submarine armaments. The weapon system consists of:
- Submarine attack rockets
- Torpedos (ALWT)
- Anti-submarine mines.
- 30 mm rapid-fire cannon
- Remotely controlled machine guns
With all of these weaponry, ‘Mahe’ emerges as a critical weapon for the Indian Navy’s coastal security and anti-submarine missions. INS Mahe not only strengthens the Indian Navy, but also represents India’s indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities and technical breakthroughs. This battleship, which can conduct coastal security, anti-submarine operations, and shallow-water operations, would help India safeguard and fortify its maritime frontiers. In the coming years, this warship will play an important role in securing India’s maritime frontiers.
