In order to increase anti-submarine and surveillance capabilities, the Indian Navy is set to commission INS Mahe, the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Watercraft (ASW-SWC), at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on November 24.
The vessel, the first of the eight ASW ships, is equipped with torpedoes and anti-submarine rockets.
It’s named after the historic coastal town of Mahe on the Malabar coast in the Arabian Sea and was delivered to the Navy last month.
The ship’s crest highlights an ‘Urumi’ or whip sword of Kalaripayattu, the ancient Indian martial art of Kerala, showcasing agility, precision and lethal grace.
Built by Cochin shipyard limited, Mahe stands as a demonstration of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat push in naval design and shipbuilding. The vessel, despite being compact in size, combines agility, precision and endurance - essential for effective operations in the littoral battlespace.
As the Navy deepens its indigenisation drive, the Mahe-class reflects this transition, showcasing the growing ability of Indian shipyards to meet operational demands with homegrown design, technology and manufacturing.
India’s need for anti-submarine vessels
China is expanding its footprint in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to secure maritime trade routes vital to its economy, with over 80 per cent of China’s oil imports and a significant portion of its global trade passing through the IOR’s key chokepoints, including the Strait of Malacca, the Strait of Hormuz, and Bab el-Mandeb.
To safeguard these routes, China has invested heavily in port infrastructure under its Belt and Road Initiative, with ports in Gwadar (Pakistan), Hambantota (Sri Lanka) and Kyaukpyu (Myanmar).
According to the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, a US-based think-tank, these investments are part of a broader ‘String of Pearls’ strategy aimed at ensuring logistical access and energy security across the region.
In 2023 alone, China conducted 14 military exercises in the region, nine of which were maritime-focused, reflecting an effort to carry out operations in blue water and normalise its naval presence in the region, the think-tank reported.
China also docked its spy ship named ‘Yuan Wang 5’ in Sri Lanka, a move opposed by India for carrying out research in the IOR.
These incidents pose a critical challenge for India to expand its underwater and surface fleet to combat the growing presence of China in the IOR.
The Navy has already commissioned INS Androth, the second of the eight ASW-SWC, last month at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam.
Premium ContentPremium ContentSubscription ExpiredSubscription ExpiredYour access to Blueprint has ended. But the story is still unfolding.
No longer a subscriber? There’s a new reason to return.
Introducing Blueprint - A magazine on defence & geopolitics
Introducing Blueprint - A magazine on defence & geopolitics
Like what you read? There’s more in every issue of Blueprint
From military strategy to global diplomacy, Blueprint offers sharp, in-depth reportage on the world’s most consequential issues.
Exclusive pricing for Business Standard digital subscribers
Choose your plan
Exclusive Pricing
Choose your plan
58% off
₹12,000
Blueprint Digital
₹5,000
annual (digital-only)
₹416/Month
72% off
₹24,000
Blueprint Complete
₹6,500
annual (digital & print)
₹541/Month
37% off
₹12,000
Blueprint Digital
₹7,500
annual (digital-only)
₹625/Month
62% off
₹24,000
Blueprint Complete
₹9,000
annual (digital & print)
₹750/Month
Here's what's included:
Access to the latest issue of the Blueprint digital magazine
Online access to all the upcoming digital magazines along with past digital archives
Delivery of all the upcoming print magazines at your home or office
Full access to Blueprint articles online
Business Standard digital subscription
1-year unlimited complimentary digital access to The New York Times (News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter, The Athletic)
Access to the latest issue of the Blueprint digital magazine
Online access to all the upcoming digital magazines along with past digital archives
* Delivery of all the upcoming print magazines at your home or office
Full access to Blueprint articles online
Business Standard digital subscription
1-year unlimited complimentary digital access to The New York Times (News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter, The Athletic)
 "India set to commission INS Mahe to combat China's presence in region")
