INS Mahe joins Indian Navy fleet, marking new era of indigenous shallow-water combatants
On Monday, the Indian Navy formally inducted INS Mahe, the inaugural member of the Mahe‑class shallow‑water anti‑submarine warfare vessels, signalling a notable uplift in India’s coastal protection and enhancing the Navy’s readiness in near‑shore operations.
The launch ceremony was graced by Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, who was the chief guest and highlighted the importance of joint‑services cooperation for national security.
The Navy gathered at the Mumbai Naval Dockyard to welcome this new tier of domestically built littoral warships, which have been described as sleek, fast and unmistakably Indian.
During his remarks, General Dwivedi noted that the introduction of this platform “does not only mark the induction of a potent new platform to a maritime order of battle, but also reaffirms our nation’s increasing capability to design, construct and field complex combatants with indigenous technology.”
He further said the commissioning “reaffirms the Navy’s steadfast transformation into a Builders’ Navy, one that designs, constructs, and sustains its own combat platforms. Today, over 75 per cent platforms of the Navy’s capital acquisition are sourced indigenously. From warships and submarines to high sonar and weapon systems, Indian shipyards, public and private, stand as a living proof of our nation’s industrial and technological dominance.”
Addressing the crew, the Army chief urged them “From this day forward, the mantle of responsibility rests upon your shoulders. You are the custodians of her spirit, her discipline and her fighting edge. Remember, the ship is only as strong as the man who sails her. Her spirit will depend on your courage. Her reputation will depend on your character. The nation will sleep peacefully because you will remain awake, and India’s tricolour will fly high across the oceans because you will defend it.”
Reflecting on the recent Operation Sindoor, he said “The strength of armed forces lies in synergy. The sea, land and the skies form a single continuum of national security, and together the Army, Navy, and Air Force form the trinity of India’s strategic strength… We are an operational eye in every domain from Ladakh to the Indian Ocean, from information warfare to joint logistics. Operation Sindoor was an apt example of that synergy.”
He added that as the new ship “When INS Mahe hoists the ensign today, she carries not just the hopes of the Navy, but the collective faith of a nation that stands united behind her. May her voyages be safe, her missions be successful, and her crew steadfast in the service of India.”
After the launch, General Dwivedi toured INS Mahe—built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL)—and the vessel stands as a milestone in India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat program, fusing a compact form factor with robust anti‑submarine warfare systems essential for dominance in shallow waters.
Named after the historic enclave of Mahe on India’s Malabar Coast, the ship’s crest incorporates the ‘Urumi’, the flexible sword of Kalarippayattu, symbolising agility, precision and lethal power.
A naval spokesperson highlighted that “With her blend of firepower, stealth and mobility, the ship is designed to hunt submarines, conduct coastal patrols, and secure India’s vital maritime approaches,” underscoring its pivotal role in bolstering the country’s maritime security framework.
sd/uk
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
