New Delhi: The keel laying of the sixth ship (BY 528, Magdala) under the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) project has been successfully undertaken at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) on Tuesday in the presence of Rear Admiral Satish Shenai, Chief Staff Officer (Training), Southern Naval Command. The senior officials from the Indian Navy and CSL were also present during the ceremony.
The event underscores the Government of India’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, as nearly all major and auxiliary equipment and systems used in these vessels are sourced from indigenous manufacturers. The milestone follows the recent launch of the fourth and fifth ships of the project at CSL in September 2024, reaffirming the capability of Indian shipyards under the Make in India program.
The Ministry of Defence awarded the contract for the construction of eight ASW SWC ships, designated as the Mahe class, to Cochin Shipyard Limited on April 30, 2019. These vessels are equipped with advanced, indigenously developed underwater sensors and are designed to conduct anti-submarine warfare operations in coastal waters, low-intensity maritime operations (LIMO), and mine-laying missions.
The first ship of the ASW SWC project is scheduled for delivery in early 2025. In addition to strengthening the Indian Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities, the high level of indigenous content in the project is fostering large-scale employment and contributing to the capability enhancement of Indian manufacturing units.
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