India has commissioned INS Malvan — the second anti-submarine ship of the Mahe class.

The Indian Navy commissioned INS Malvan on July 22 in Karwar — the second anti-submarine warfare shallow water ship (ASW-SWC) of the Mahe class developed and built in the country.

Indian Navy ceremony (illustrative image)

In Brief

Ship: INS Malvan, 2nd ASW-SWC of the Mahe class (shallow water anti-submarine ship).
Ceremony: July 22 in Karwar, chaired by Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh.
Builder: Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi.
Localization: over 80% (Aatmanirbhar Bharat).
Roles: underwater surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, mine warfare, low-intensity operations.

Announcement Details

INS Malvan is the second of eight ships of the Mahe class and the sixth of 16 planned ASW-SWCs for the Indian Navy. The ceremony was led by Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh in the presence of Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, commander of the Western Naval Command.

Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kochi, the ship has over 80% localization in line with the self-reliant India concept. Its emblem features the ‘Tiger’s Claw’ — a symbol of bravery, agility, and stealth.

System Context

Shallow water anti-submarine ships are designed to detect and track enemy submarines in coastal shallow waters, where larger frigates and destroyers are limited in maneuverability, and conventional submarines can hide.

INS Malvan is capable of conducting underwater surveillance, anti-submarine and low-intensity operations, and mine warfare; it is equipped with a modern Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) for maneuverability in shallow waters.

Regional and Strategic Significance

India is strengthening its coastal defense amid the growing presence of the Chinese Navy in the Indian Ocean. The ASW-SWC ships being serially built at domestic shipyards form a layered anti-submarine network along the coast. India’s push in local shipbuilding resonates with Turkey’s localization strategy with MILGEM and ADA class ships.