The first three (3) ships in the series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts under construction in Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for Indian Navy were launched at CSL’s Kochi Yard.
After the ceremonial pooja, the first vessel was launched by Smt Anjali Bahl - the second vessel was launched by Smt Kangana Berry, and the third vessel by Smt Zarine Lord Singh.
Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts
The launching of the three (3) vessels was carried out in the presence of Chief Guest from Indian Navy, viz. Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, AVSM, NM, Vice Chief of Naval Staff. Vice Admiral Suraj Berry, AVSM, NM, VSM, Commander-in-Chief & Vice Admiral Puneet Bahl, AVSM, VSM, Commandant INA.
The Chairman and Managing Director, CSL, Directors of CSL, Senior officials of Indian Navy and CSL, Classification Society representatives were present on the occasion.
CSL contracted to build eight (8) ASW SWC ships
The Mahe Class of Ships will replace the in-service Abhay class ASW Corvettes of Indian Navy
Contract for building eight (8) ASW SWC ships was signed between Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), on 30 April 2019.
The Mahe Class of Ships will replace the in-service Abhay class ASW Corvettes of Indian Navy and are designed to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and Mine Laying Operations including subsurface surveillance.
The first three ships in this series, CSL Yard nos BY 523, BY 524 & BY 525 shall bear the name ‘INS MAHE, INS MALVAN & INS MANGROL’ upon commissioning into the Indian Navy. The vessels are 78.0 m long, 11.36 m wide with a draught of about 2.7 m. The displacement is about 896 tons, with a maximum speed of 25 knots and endurance of 1800 nautical miles.
Vessels designed to fit SONARS system
The vessels are designed to fit indigenously developed, state-of-the-art SONARS, for underwater surveillance.
Concurrent launching of the three (3) ships is yet another milestone achievement for Cochin Shipyard Ltd. The first ship of the project is planned to be ready for delivery by Nov 2024.