In a proud display of India’s growing naval strength and self-reliance, the Indian Navy today commissioned INS Mahe, the first of eight advanced anti-submarine warfare vessels designed to keep a sharp eye and sharper weapons on threats lurking beneath the waves. Built entirely in India, this sleek “silent hunter” is set to patrol shallow coastal waters, hunt submarines, and guard vital sea routes with unmatched agility.
The commissioning ceremony at Mumbai’s Naval Dockyard was a sight to behold, with the tricolour fluttering high as Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi stepped in as the chief guest. “Bravo salute to the commanding officer, officers, and men of Mahe,” he said, calling it a milestone in the nation’s push to build its own warships. “This marks our increasing capability to design, construct, and field complex combatants with indigenous technology.” Vice-Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, hosted the event, highlighting how INS Mahe embodies the Navy’s shift to a “Builders’ Navy.”
At just 78 metres long and displacing around 1,100 tonnes, INS Mahe might seem compact, but don’t let that fool you it’s a powerhouse. Powered by diesel engines and water-jet propulsion, it zips along at up to 25 knots and can cruise 1,800 nautical miles without breaking a sweat.
What makes it a game-changer? Over 80% of its parts, from hull to high-tech sonars, are made in India, thanks to Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kerala. The ship boasts hull-mounted and variable-depth sonars to detect subs from afar, torpedo launchers for close calls, and rocket systems to strike underwater foes. Plus, its stealthy design lets it slip through shallow waters where bigger ships can’t go perfect for patrolling India’s busy littorals.
Named after the historic coastal town of Mahe on Kerala’s Malabar Coast, the vessel’s crest features an ‘Urumi’ the flexible sword from Kalaripayattu, Kerala’s ancient martial art. It symbolises the ship’s grace, precision, and deadly strike, rising from the sea like a guardian spirit. Delivered to the Navy just last month on October 23, INS Mahe will replace the ageing Abhay-class corvettes and sharpen India’s grid against diesel-electric submarines prowling the Indian Ocean.
This launch isn’t just about one ship; it’s a big win for ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. With more than 75% of the Navy’s new acquisitions now homegrown, from warships to weapons, India is cutting reliance on imports and creating jobs in shipyards across the country. As threats evolve in our vast maritime backyard, vessels like INS Mahe ensure our sailors stay one step ahead quiet, quick, and ready.
For the crew stepping aboard today, it’s the start of exciting missions: everything from mine-laying to underwater surveillance. As General Dwivedi put it, “Safe voyages and successful missions ahead.” With seven more Mahe-class ships on the way, India’s blue-water ambitions just got a whole lot stronger.
Sources:
- Business Standard: Indian Navy commissions indigenous anti-submarine warfare vessel INS Mahe
- The Economic Times: Indian Navy commissions indigenous anti-submarine warfare vessel INS Mahe, Army Chief wishes safe voyages, successful missions
- Times of India: Aatmanirbhar Bharat boost: Navy commissions ‘silent hunter’ INS Mahe; all about the anti-submarine warfare vessel
- The Hindu: Indian Navy commissions indigenous anti-submarine warfare vessel INS Mahe
- News18: INS Mahe Joins Indian Navy, Marks Major Step In Indigenous Warship Building
- Free Press Journal: Indian Navy Commissions ‘Silent Hunter’ Anti-Submarine Warfare Vessel, INS Mahe, At Naval Dockyard In Mumbai | VIDEO
- The Tribune: Indian Navy commissions indigenous anti-submarine warfare vessel INS Mahe
