Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, commissions INS Malvan in the presence of Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. — Courtesy: PIB
- Second Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft strengthens India’s underwater surveillance and littoral security architecture
- Over 80% indigenous content underlines Aatmanirbhar Bharat and India’s growing naval shipbuilding prowess
- INS Malvan equipped for Anti-Submarine Warfare, underwater surveillance, mine warfare and Low Intensity Maritime Operations
- Air Chief Marshal AP Singh stresses protection of sea lines of communication and seamless tri-service integration
- ‘Silent Claws’ embodies stealth, agility and the ability to strike swiftly in the maritime battlespace
NE DEFENCE BUREAU
NEW DELHI, JULY 22
In a maritime battlespace where the most dangerous threat can often be the one that cannot be seen, heard or detected until it is too late, the Indian Navy has added a new weapon designed to patrol the shallow waters, hunt beneath the surface and keep India’s coastline and maritime interests under constant watch.
The Indian Navy on Wednesday commissioned INS Malvan, the second indigenously designed and built Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), giving a significant boost to India’s underwater surveillance, coastal defence and littoral warfare capabilities.
Commissioned at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, the vessel’s commissioning ceremony was presided over by Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, in the presence of Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. Senior naval officers, representatives of CSL, veterans and distinguished guests attended the ceremony.
With its ability to operate in challenging shallow-water environments, INS Malvan adds a specialised layer to the Indian Navy’s anti-submarine warfare architecture at a time when underwater threats are becoming increasingly complex and maritime security is assuming greater strategic importance.
A silent hunter for the shallow waters
INS Malvan is the second of eight ASW-SWCs being indigenously built by CSL, Kochi, and the sixth of 16 ASW-SWCs planned for induction into the Indian Navy.
The vessel is equipped for Underwater Surveillance, Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and Mine Warfare. Its induction will further strengthen coastal defence, littoral security and Maritime Domain Awareness.
The vessel will also be capable of operating seamlessly with larger surface combatants, submarines and aviation assets, enhancing the Navy’s ability to build a layered and integrated maritime security grid.
80% indigenous content: Aatmanirbhar Bharat at sea
With over 80% indigenous content, INS Malvan represents a major step forward in India’s journey towards self-reliance in defence shipbuilding.
The vessel reflects the expanding capabilities of India’s domestic ecosystem in naval design, equipment manufacturing, system integration and warship construction.
Its induction reinforces the Government of India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, while demonstrating how Indian shipyards and defence industries are increasingly capable of delivering sophisticated platforms for the country’s maritime security requirements.
The vessel also carries the legacy of its predecessor—an inshore Indian Naval Minesweeper that remained in service until 2003.
Named after the historic coastal town of Malvan in Maharashtra, the ship draws upon a region deeply connected with the illustrious maritime heritage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
‘Silent claws’: A crest that tells a warfighting story
The crest of INS Malvan carries the ‘Bagh Nakha’ or Tiger’s Claw, symbolising bravery, warfare tactics, agility and audacity.
The emblem resonates with the vessel’s core operational ethos—to move rapidly, remain stealthy and strike decisively.
The waves surrounding the Bagh Nakha reflect the vast seas surrounding India’s coastline and the Indian Navy’s unwavering resolve to remain ever vigilant and ever ready to safeguard the nation’s maritime sovereignty.
The ship’s motto, ‘Silent Claws’, embodies stealth, lethality and the ability to strike an adversary swiftly.
Safeguarding sea lanes, strengthening jointness
Addressing the gathering, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh emphasised the critical importance of safeguarding Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs) to ensure the uninterrupted flow of maritime trade amid growing global uncertainties.
He lauded the Indian Navy’s impressive growth and its commitment to Aatmanirbharta, particularly highlighting INS Malvan’s over 80% indigenous content.
Drawing inspiration from the Navy’s practice of embedding officers directly into the shipbuilding process, the Chief of the Air Staff suggested that similar approaches could accelerate self-reliance across the broader defence ecosystem.
He also reaffirmed the importance of tri-service integration, calling for seamless jointness among the Indian Army, Indian Navy and Indian Air Force to ensure that the nation operates as one unified force in future conflicts.
The commissioning of INS Malvan therefore goes beyond the induction of another warship. It strengthens India’s underwater warfare capability, reinforces coastal security and adds depth to the nation’s maritime surveillance architecture.
With its ability to operate alongside surface ships, submarines and aviation assets, INS Malvan will contribute to the Indian Navy’s mission of remaining Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future Ready—prepared to protect India’s maritime interests at all times and in all waters.
