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The Indian Navy on Wednesday commissioned INS Malvan, the second indigenously designed and built Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), strengthening its capability to detect and neutralise enemy submarines in India’s coastal waters.
The warship was commissioned at the Naval Base in Karwar in the presence of Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, and Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. Senior naval officers, representatives of Cochin Shipyard Ltd., veterans and other dignitaries attended the ceremony.
With more than 80 per cent indigenous content, INS Malvan is part of India’s push to build a self-reliant defence industrial base under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The vessel has been designed and built in India and reflects the growing capability of the country’s naval shipbuilding ecosystem.
Addressing the gathering, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh underlined the strategic importance of securing sea lines of communication to ensure uninterrupted maritime trade, describing them as vital for India’s economic growth amid an uncertain global security environment.
He praised the Indian Navy’s progress in indigenous warship construction and highlighted the significance of achieving over 80 per cent indigenous content in INS Malvan. He also pointed to the Navy’s practice of embedding its officers in shipbuilding projects, saying the model could help accelerate self-reliance across the wider defence sector.
The Air Chief also reiterated the need for greater tri-service integration, calling for seamless jointness among the Army, Navy and Air Force to meet future security challenges effectively.
Named after the Navy’s earlier inshore minesweeper INS Malvan, which served for 19 years before being decommissioned in 2003, the new warship carries forward its legacy.
The ship’s crest features the ‘Bagh Nakha’ (Tiger’s Claw), symbolising stealth, agility and offensive capability. Its motto, “Silent Claws”, reflects its role of operating discreetly while delivering swift and decisive action against underwater threats.
The induction of INS Malvan is expected to provide a major boost to the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capability. The vessel can operate alongside frontline warships, submarines and naval aviation assets, enhancing India’s ability to protect its coastline, critical sea lanes and wider maritime interests.
Team BharatShakti
