What happened
On October 24, 2025, Cochin Shipyard Limited delivered Mahe, the first of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWCs), to the Indian Navy in Kochi. The acceptance document was signed between Dr. S. Harikrishnan, Director (Operations), Cochin Shipyard Limited, and Commander Amit Chandra Choubey, Commanding Officer (Designate), Mahe, in the presence of Rear Admiral R. Adhisrinivasan and senior officials from the Navy and CSL. The 78-metre-long warship, designed under Det Norske Veritas (DNV) rules, is India’s largest naval vessel powered by a Diesel Engine–Waterjet combination and is equipped for underwater surveillance, search and rescue, and low-intensity maritime operations.
Why it matters to India
The delivery of Mahe marks a major milestone in India’s naval indigenisation drive under Atmanirbhar Bharat. With advanced mine-laying and anti-submarine capabilities, the vessel enhances India’s coastal defence and underwater domain awareness. It also strengthens the Navy’s operational readiness in shallow waters, reinforcing India’s focus on maritime security and technological self-reliance. The project exemplifies India’s growing shipbuilding expertise and its capacity to design and construct advanced defence platforms domestically.