MUMBAI — The Indian Navy on Monday commissioned INS Mahe, the first vessel of the indigenously designed Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, during a ceremony at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.
Vice Adm. Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, hosted the event, which was presided over by Army Chief Gen. Upendra Dwivedi. Senior naval officials, representatives from Cochin Shipyard Ltd. and other defense partners, and invited guests attended the commissioning.
Named after the historic coastal town of Mahe on the Malabar Coast, the ship draws inspiration from the region’s maritime legacy. Its crest features the Urumi, the flexible sword used in Kalaripayattu, rising from stylized blue waves to symbolize agility and precision. The vessel’s mascot, a cheetah, represents speed and focus, while its motto, “Silent Hunters,” reflects its stealth-oriented role.
INS Mahe is the lead ship in an eight-vessel class designed and built by Cochin Shipyard in Kochi. The program incorporates contributions from major defense firms including Bharat Electronics Ltd., L&T Defence, Mahindra Defence Systems, the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, and more than 20 micro, small and medium enterprises. Navy officials said the ship has more than 80% indigenous content, underscoring the service’s focus on self-reliance under the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Equipped with advanced sensors, weapons and communication systems, INS Mahe is designed to detect, track and engage underwater threats in coastal and shallow waters. The Navy said the ship’s compact combat suite and modern machinery give it the endurance required for prolonged operations in littoral environments.
Speaking at the ceremony, Dwivedi said the commissioning reflects India’s increasing ability to design and field complex combat platforms. He said the ship will strengthen the Navy’s near-shore dominance and bolster coastal security, adding that future conflicts will require close coordination among the services. Citing Operation Sindoor, he highlighted longstanding Army-Navy cooperation in humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and amphibious missions.
The Mahe-class vessels will form part of the Navy’s front line of coastal defense and will operate in concert with larger surface ships, submarines and aviation assets, naval officials said. They added that the commissioning of INS Mahe reaffirms the service’s commitment to remaining “combat ready, cohesive and Aatmanirbhar” in safeguarding India’s maritime interests.
