New Delhi: In a major boost to India’s maritime defence capabilities, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, has delivered ‘Mahe’, the first of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWCs), to the Indian Navy on October 23.
Named after the historic port town of Mahe in the Union Territory of Puducherry, the vessel stands as a tribute to India’s rich maritime heritage. Designed and constructed indigenously by CSL, Mahe reflects India’s growing self-reliance in naval shipbuilding and the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ vision.
The 78-metre-long vessel, with a displacement of around 1,100 tons, is equipped for underwater surveillance, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) operations in coastal waters. It also features advanced mine-laying capabilities. Armed with torpedoes, multifunctional anti-submarine rockets, and state-of-the-art radars and sonars, Mahe brings formidable capability to India’s coastal defence operations.
The induction of ASW SWCs into the Indian Navy’s fleet is expected to significantly enhance the country’s anti-submarine warfare capacity and strengthen maritime security in the littorals.
With over 80 percent indigenous content, the delivery of 'Mahe' marks a major milestone in India’s indigenous shipbuilding programme, reinforcing the nation’s pursuit of technological self-reliance in defence production.
(PSU Watch– India's Business News centre that places the spotlight on PSUs, Bureaucracy, Defence and Public Policy is now on Google News. Click here to follow. Also, join PSU Watch Channel in your Telegram. You may also follow us on Twitter here and stay updated.)