The Indian Navy on Wednesday commissioned the INS Malvan, its second Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC). On its crest is the ‘Bagh Nakha’ (Wagh Nakh), a a tribute to the tiger-claw weapon associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
ASW-SWC is a specialised class of warships in India that is designed for anti-submarine and patrolling operations along the littoral zone — the shallow maritime zone near the shore that is strategically and economically critical. Other countries too deploy such littoral craft, but under different names.
The first ship in the class, INS Mahe, was commissioned in November last year. Here’s a look at the strategic significance of these versatile, next-generation vessels and why the Navy is inducting a total of 16 of them.
The craft and its crest: The symbolism
INS Malvan is the second of eight Mahe-class vessels being built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), Kochi, and the sixth of 16 ASW-SWCs under construction by CSL and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
According to the Defence Ministry, more than 80% of its components are indigenous.
The INS Malvan crest
The ship derives its name from the coastal town of Malvan in Maharashtra, a region synonymous with maritime vision and legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
It also carries forward the role of an inshore minesweeper of the same name that was in service till 2003. INS Malvan’s crest bears the ‘Bagh Nakha’ (Wagh Nakh) — which means tiger’s claw. This is meant to symbolise courage, audacity and agility — in line with the with the ship’s role of attacking rapidly and silently. The waves on the Bagh Nakha crest reflect the vast sea surrounding the coasts. The ship’s motto — ‘Silent Claws’ — also reflects the crest, embodying lethality, stealth and the ability to strike the adversary swiftly, the Navy said.
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At the commissioning ceremony at Karwar, Karnataka on Wednesday, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh emphasised the importance of safeguarding sea lines of communication to ensure uninterrupted maritime trade amid global uncertainties.
Why are these ships strategically important?
The ASW-SWC fleet significantly enhances the Indian Navy’s ability to secure its coastline against underwater threats. Designed for operations in shallow coastal waters, these vessels fill a long-standing capability gap by detecting and countering stealthy diesel-electric submarines that larger surface combatants cannot effectively pursue.
Their low draught (meaning they require less water beneath the hull to operate), advanced sonar systems and high manoeuvrability make them well suited to protect harbour approaches, sea lanes, offshore energy installations and key naval bases.
With 16 vessels planned, the Navy will establish a dedicated anti-submarine screen along the coastline, strengthening coastal defence while allowing larger warships to focus on blue-water operations.
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The fleet will also make covert underwater intrusions by adversaries far more difficult, enhancing India’s maritime security posture in the Indian Ocean Region. Integrated with coastal radar networks, underwater sensors and maritime patrol aircraft, the vessels will provide a layered indigenous anti-submarine warfare capability for rapid detection and response to underwater threats.
What is the Mahe class?
The Mahe class ships are designed primarily for anti-submarine warfare in coastal waters. These vessels are also equipped for underwater surveillance, search and rescue, low intensity maritime operations and mine-laying. These are the largest Indian Navy warships to be powered by a diesel engine-waterjet propulsion system (which reduces underwater noise while improving manoeuvrability).
The Mahe class has been designed and built by CSL in accordance with the classification rules of Det Norske Veritas (DNV), an internationally recognised classification society that certifies ships against stringent technical and safety standards.
According to CSL, each vessel measures 78 metres, has a beam of 11.36 metres and a draught of about 2.7 metres, with a displacement of 896-1,100 tonnes. The ships have a top speed of 25 knots and an endurance of 1,800 nautical miles.
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They are configured to operate indigenously developed sonar systems and are equipped with advanced sensors, weapons and communication suites to detect, track and engage sub-surface threats. The class also incorporates advanced machinery, automation and integrated control systems for sustained operations in shallow waters. The ships are armed with torpedoes, multifunctional anti-submarine rockets, and advanced radar and sonar systems.
Why were these vessels needed?
Before the ASW-SWC programme, the Indian Navy operated four Abhay-class corvettes — customised versions of the Soviet-origin Pauk II-class — for coastal patrol and anti-submarine warfare. They served for decades before being decommissioned between 2017 and October 2025. To replace and expand this capability, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the acquisition of 16 ASW-SWCs in December 2013 at a cost of over Rs 13,000 crore.
Contracts were subsequently awarded to CSL and GRSE to build eight vessels each. With India’s 7,500-km coastline, 12 major ports, 184 minor ports and 1,197 islands, dedicated shallow-water ASW platforms are considered critical for coastal surveillance and maritime security.
Of the 16 vessels, the Arnala-class is being built by GRSE and comprises INS Arnala, Androth, Anjadip, Amini, Abhay, Agray, Ajay and Akshay. CSL is constructing the Mahe-class, comprising INS Mahe, Malvan, Mangrol, Malpe, Mulki, Magdala and Machilipatnam. All 16 vessels are expected to be inducted over the next two to three years.
