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Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has delivered ‘Mahe’, the first of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWC), to the Indian Navy.
The 78-metre-long warship represents a major stride in India’s indigenous shipbuilding programme and is the largest Indian naval vessel powered by a Diesel Engine and a waterjet propulsion system. Designed for underwater surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, and low-intensity maritime operations, Mahe is expected to enhance the Navy’s operational reach in shallow coastal waters.
“The induction of ASW SWC vessels will significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capability in littoral zones,” a CSL spokesperson said, adding that the project underscores India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the government’s Aatma Nirbhar Bharat vision.
Built under the supervision of the Indian Navy’s Warship Production team in Kochi, Mahe has been constructed in line with the Classification Rules of Det Norske Veritas (DNV).
According to CSL officials, the ASW SWC class of vessels is equipped with cutting-edge sonar systems, including Hull-Mounted Sonar and Low-Frequency Variable-Depth Sonar (LFVDS), and armed with lightweight torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, a 30mm naval gun, and 12.7mm stabilised remote-controlled guns (SRCG). These systems enable the vessels to detect, track, and neutralise underwater threats in coastal and shallow-sea environments.
With over 90% indigenous content, Mahe showcases the Navy’s defence ecosystem’s capabilities and reflects its emphasis on homegrown shipbuilding. The remaining vessels in the series are under various stages of construction at CSL.
Meanwhile, CSL also marked another milestone this week with the launch of ‘Magdala’, the sixth ASW SWC in the same series, at its Kochi facility. The vessel was launched in the presence of Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition (CWP&A), along with senior officials from the Navy and CSL.
In addition to naval projects, Cochin Shipyard continues to expand its commercial shipbuilding portfolio. The shipyard recently launched two other vessels — a Commissioning Service Operation Vessel (CSOV) for Pelagic Wind Services, Cyprus, and the largest indigenously manufactured dredger for Dredging Corporation of India (DCI), Mumbai — marking a proud moment for India’s maritime industry.
The delivery of Mahe not only strengthens India’s undersea warfare capability but also highlights Cochin Shipyard’s growing role as a global player in advanced shipbuilding and maritime technology.
Team BharatShakti
