Keel Laying of the fourth ship (BY 526, Malpe) and fifth ship (BY 527, Mulki) of Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) (CSL) project was presided by Rear Admiral Jaswinder Singh, Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command and Rear Admiral Subir Mukherjee, Admiral Superintendent, NSRY(Koc) respectively on December 8, 2023, in the presence of Madhu S. Nair, CMD, Cochin Shipyard Limited and other senior officials of Indian Navy and shipyard at CSL, Kochi. With all major and auxiliary equipment/systems sourced from indigenous manufacturers, these ships are the proud flag bearer of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative. The event, in short succession after the launching of the first three ASW SWC ships in CSL on November 30, 2023, showcases the ‘Make in India’ capability of the Indian Shipyards.

The contract for building eight ASW SWC ships was signed between the Ministry of Defence and Cochin Shipyard Limited on April 30, 2019. The Mahe class of ships will be equipped with indigenously developed, state-of-the-art underwater sensors, and are envisaged to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters as well as Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and Mine Laying Operations.

The first ship of the project is planned to be delivered in 2024. The high indigenous content on these ASW SWC ships will ensure large scale defence production by Indian manufacturing units, generating employment and capability enhancement within the country.