‘Wagh Nakh’ on its crest, how submarine-hunter INS Malvan will help the Navy shield India’s coast

The Indian Navy commissioned INS Malvan, the second indigenously built Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, to strengthen coastal anti-submarine capabilities; its crest features the Bagh Nakha, honouring Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s maritime legacy. 

About INS Malvan

• INS Malvan is the second of eight Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW-SWCs) being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi.
• It is the sixth of the 16 ASW-SWCs being constructed for the Indian Navy by CSL and GRSE.
• The vessel is named after Malvan, the coastal town of Maharashtra associated with the maritime legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
• It also carries forward the name of an earlier Indian Navy inshore minesweeper that remained in service until 2003.

Indigenous Content

• More than 80% of the ship’s components are indigenous.
• It reflects the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and strengthens India’s capabilities in naval design, equipment manufacturing, system integration and defence shipbuilding.

Operational Capabilities - INS Malvan is equipped for underwater surveillance, shallow-water anti-submarine warfare, and the detection, tracking and neutralisation of hostile submarines. It can also undertake low-intensity maritime and mine-warfare operations, thereby strengthening coastal defence, littoral security and Maritime Domain Awareness. 

Strategic Importance of ASW-SWCs

• Detect and counter submarines in shallow coastal waters where larger warships face limitations.
• Protect harbours, naval bases, sea lanes and offshore energy installations.
• Their low draught, high manoeuvrability and advanced sonar enable rapid coastal operations.
• A fleet of 16 ships will create a dedicated anti-submarine screen, allowing larger warships to focus on blue-water missions.
• Integration with coastal radars, underwater sensors and maritime patrol aircraft will provide layered maritime surveillance.

About the Mahe Class

• Designed primarily for shallow-water anti-submarine warfare, underwater surveillance, search and rescue, mine warfare and low-intensity maritime operations.
• Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited under internationally recognised DNV classification standards.
• Powered by diesel engine–waterjet propulsion, reducing underwater noise and improving manoeuvrability.
• Equipped with indigenous sonar, torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, advanced radar, sensors and communication systems.
• Each vessel is about 78 metres long, can reach 25 knots, and has an endurance of around 1,800 nautical miles.

Why Were They Needed?

• They replace the decommissioned Soviet-origin Abhay-class corvettes and expand India’s shallow-water anti-submarine capability.
• India’s 7,500-km coastline, major ports, offshore assets and 1,197 islands require dedicated coastal surveillance platforms.
• The Defence Acquisition Council approved 16 vessels in 2013, with eight each being constructed by CSL and GRSE.