Indian Navy commissions INS Mahe

The Indian Navy on Monday commissioned INS Mahe, the first of the indigenously designed and built Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) during a ceremony held at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.

The event, hosted by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, was presided over by General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of Army Staff, with senior naval officers and representatives from Cochin Shipyard Limited.

“The ship takes her name from the historic coastal town of Mahe on the Malabar coast. The ship’s crest features the ‘Urumi’, the flexible sword of Kalaripayattu, rising from stylised blue waves — a symbol of agility, precision, and lethal grace. Her mascot, the Cheetah, embodies speed and focus, while the motto ‘Silent Hunters’ reflects the ship’s stealth, vigilance, and unyielding readiness,” a communication said.

Designed and constructed by CSL, INS Mahe is the lead ship of eight vessels in her class. The commissioning of the vessel adds significant punch to the Indian Navy’s ASW capabilities, particularly in countering threats in the littorals. Fitted with advanced weapons, sensors, and communication systems enabling it to detect, track, and neutralise sub-surface threats with precision, the ship can sustain prolonged operations in shallow waters and features technologically advanced machinery and control systems,” the release said.

Addressing the ceremony, General Dwivedi said that the commissioning of INS Mahe marked not only the induction of a potent new maritime platform, but also reflected India’s growing ability to design, construct and field complex combatants using indigenous technology. The induction of the ship would significantly augment the Indian Navy’s capacity to ensure near-sea dominance, strengthen the coastal security grid and safeguard India’s maritime interests, he said.