The Indian Navy commissioned INS Mahe, the lead ship of the indigenously designed and built Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai on November 24, 2025. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi presided over the ceremony, hosted by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Naval Command. INS Mahe is built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative with over 80% indigenous content. It is the first in a series of eight such vessels. The ship is designed to hunt submarines, conduct coastal patrols, and secure India's vital maritime approaches. It carries a blend of firepower, stealth, and mobility — earning the nickname 'Silent Hunter'. INS Mahe represents a transformational milestone in India's naval self-reliance and its anti-submarine warfare capabilities, reducing dependence on foreign shipbuilding for frontline warships. With China's naval expansion in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), such vessels are strategically critical for India's coastal and shallow-water security.
INS Mahe Commissioned: India's First Mahe-Class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft Joins Western Naval Command
The Indian Navy commissioned INS Mahe, the lead ship of the indigenously designed and built Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai on November 24, 2025. Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi presided over the ceremony, hosted by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Naval Command. INS Mahe is built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative with over 80% indigenous content. It is the first in a series of eight such vessels. The ship is designed to hunt submarines, conduct coastal patrols, and secure India's vital maritime approaches. It carries a blend of firepower, stealth, and mobility — earning the nickname 'Silent Hunter'. INS Mahe represents a transformational milestone in India's naval self-reliance and its anti-submarine warfare capabilities, reducing dependence on foreign shipbuilding for frontline warships. With China's naval expansion in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), such vessels are strategically critical for India's coastal and shallow-water security.
Key facts
- INS Mahe is India's first Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft.
- The ship was commissioned at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai on November 24, 2025.
- Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited with over 80% indigenous content under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
- INS Mahe is the lead ship in a series of eight planned ASW-SWC vessels.
- The ship is designed to hunt submarines and conduct coastal patrols earning nickname 'Silent Hunter'.
- The vessel strengthens India's coastal security amid China's naval expansion in the Indian Ocean.
Mains angle
Q: Analyse INS Mahe's commissioning as a marker of India's indigenous shipbuilding capability and anti-submarine warfare posture in the IOR.
Answer (50 words):
Commissioned at Naval Dockyard Mumbai on November 24, 2025, INS Mahe is the lead Mahe-class ASW Shallow Water Craft. General Upendra Dwivedi presided; Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan hosted. Built by Cochin Shipyard with over 80 percent indigenous content, the first of eight boosts Aatmanirbhar shipbuilding and coastal anti-submarine deterrence.
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INS Mahe is significant in India's naval modernisation because it is:
INS Mahe was commissioned at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, on 24 November 2025 as the first Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft. The ship strengthens coastal and shallow-water anti-submarine capability and reflects India's indigenous warship-building push.
Source: PIB / Naval News / Indian Defence News / DD News / GlobalSecurity
Frequently asked questions
What is INS Mahe and when was it commissioned?
INS Mahe is India's first Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), commissioned on November 24, 2025 at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. It is designed to hunt submarines in shallow coastal waters and conduct coastal patrols.
Which shipyard built INS Mahe and under which initiative?
INS Mahe was built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative with over 80% indigenous content, making it a flagship example of India's self-reliant defence manufacturing.
Who presided over the commissioning ceremony of INS Mahe?
Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi presided over the commissioning ceremony, which was hosted by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Naval Command.
What is the strategic significance of INS Mahe for India?
INS Mahe strengthens India's coastal security amid China's growing naval presence in the Indian Ocean Region. It is the lead ship of a planned series of eight ASW-SWC vessels, enhancing India's anti-submarine warfare capability in shallow waters.
What nickname has been given to INS Mahe and why?
INS Mahe has been nicknamed 'Silent Hunter' because it is specifically designed to quietly track and hunt enemy submarines in shallow coastal waters while also conducting coastal patrols.
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