Navy launches ASW shallow watercraft Machilipatnam at Cochin shipyard

The Navy on Wednesday (July 29, 2026) launched Machilipatnam (BY 529), the seventh of the eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Watercraft (ASW SWC) being constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), marking another significant milestone in India’s indigenous warship building programme.

The vessel was launched by Mrs. Goolrukh Anand in the presence of the Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, the Navy said. Senior officials from the Navy, Cochin Shipyard Limited and other distinguished guests attended the ceremony.

Named after the historic port city of Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh’s Krishna district, the warship reflects the city’s rich maritime heritage and its historic role as a thriving trading hub on India’s eastern seaboard. The Navy said the vessel embodied the spirit and legacy of Machilipatnam while reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding the country’s maritime interests.

Designed for a range of coastal and littoral operations, the ship is equipped to undertake underwater surveillance, anti-submarine warfare missions, low-intensity maritime operations and mine warfare tasks. Once commissioned, it will strengthen the Navy’s coastal defence capabilities and significantly enhance maritime domain awareness.

The Navy said the launch marked another key milestone in the execution of the ASW SWC project, aimed at enhancing the anti-submarine warfare capability through indigenous platforms.

With more than 80% indigenous content, the project underscores the growing capabilities of India’s shipbuilding industry and advances the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence manufacturing.

The new class of vessels is expected to substantially improve the Navy’s operational readiness and its ability to safeguard India’s maritime interests in the Indian Ocean Region.