On October 24, India’s Cochin Shipyard delivered the first domestically built anti-submarine Warfara shallow Water Craft, the Mahe, to the Indian Navy. This vessel is the first in a series of eight anti-submarine Warfara shallow Water Craft for India.
The remaining seven crafts are currently at various stages of construction at Cochin Shipyard and are scheduled for delivery in batches over the coming years.
The Mahe was independently designed and constructed by Cochin Shipyard, meeting the classification standards of Det Norske Veritas (DNV). It possesses multi-mission capabilities including underwater reconnaissance, search and rescue operations, low-intensity maritime tasks, and mine warfare operations.
The 78 m long warship is the largest Indian Naval warship propelled by a Diesel Engine-Waterjet combination. The ship has been designed for underwater surveillance, Search & Rescue operations and Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO). The ship is capable of undertaking ASW operations in coastal waters, along with advanced mine laying capabilities. The induction of ASW SWC ships would significantly boost shallow water Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities of the Indian Navy.
Cochin Shipyard stated that Mahe’s delivery is yet another milestone in the Indian Navy’s quest for indigenous shipbuilding and upholding the Government’s vision of “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat” with over 90% indigenous content.