INS MAHE

NEWS – The Indian Navy has commissioned INS Mahe, the first vessel of the Mahe-class Shallow Water Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Crafts. Designed for high-speed, near-coastal operations, INS Mahe strengthens India’s indigenous capability in undersea threat detection and littoral security.

 STRATEGIC SIGNIFICANCE

New Generation Shallow-Water Combatant

• First of eight Mahe-class ASW vessels.
• Replaces ageing Abhay-class corvettes.
• Represents a shift toward sleek, agile, and fully indigenous coastal defence platforms.

 Indigenous Capability Boost

• Built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) under a 2019 contract worth ₹6,311 crore.
• Demonstrates India’s commitment to naval indigenisation under Atmanirbhar Bharat.

 OPERATIONAL ROLE AND FEATURES

 Mission Role

• Detect and neutralise submarines in shallow waters.
• Optimised for littoral dominance with agile manoeuvrability.

Advanced ASW Arsenal

• Torpedoes
• Anti-submarine rockets
• Smart sensors and modern communication systems

Performance Strengths

• High stealth and >25 knots speed
• Sustained near-sea operations with 14-day endurance
• Crew capacity: 80+

 Technical Specifications

• Length:8 m
• Displacement: 1,100 tonnes
• Range: 1,800 nautical miles

These parameters enable rapid-response coastal patrols and submarine hunting missions.

IDENTITY & SYMBOLISM

• Named after the coastal town of Mahe.
• Crest features the Urumi, symbolising flexibility and precision.
• Mascot: Cheetah—representing speed, focus, and agility.

TIMELINE

• 2019: Contract signed
• Oct 23, 2025: Vessel delivered to Navy
• Nov 24, 2025: INS Mahe commissioned at Mumbai Naval Dockyard