INS Malvan: Indigenous ASW Shallow Water Craft to Strengthen India's Coastal Security

INS Malvan: Indigenous ASW Shallow Water Craft to Strengthen India's Coastal Security

Context

The Indian Navy is set to commission INS Malvan, the second Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), on 22 July 2026. The induction marks another milestone in India's naval modernisation and indigenous defence manufacturing programme under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.

History of the Issue

India possesses a coastline of over 7,500 km, making coastal defence a strategic priority. Detecting submarines in shallow waters is particularly challenging because underwater sound behaves differently in coastal regions. To strengthen anti-submarine capabilities and replace the ageing Abhay-class corvettes, the Indian Navy initiated the Mahe-class ASW-SWC programme, under which eight vessels are being constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL). INS Malvan is the second vessel in this class and is named after the historic coastal town of Malvan, associated with the naval legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Salient Features

INS Malvan is a 78-metre, 1,100-tonne shallow-water warship with over 80% indigenous content. It is equipped with Abhay Sonar, RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launchers, lightweight torpedoes, and mine-laying rails. Its advanced water-jet propulsion provides high manoeuvrability in shallow waters, enabling speeds of up to 25 knots with an endurance of about 14 days.

India's Stand

India is committed to strengthening maritime security through indigenous defence production. INS Malvan reflects India's emphasis on self-reliance, enhanced coastal surveillance, anti-submarine warfare capability, and protection of strategic sea lanes while promoting domestic defence industries such as BEL, L&T, and MSMEs.

Current Status

INS Malvan was delivered to the Indian Navy on 31 March 2026 and is scheduled for commissioning on 22 July 2026. Its induction will significantly enhance India's coastal defence architecture, replace obsolete naval assets, and improve the Navy's capability to undertake anti-submarine warfare, coastal patrol, search and rescue, and low-intensity maritime operations.

Analytical Questions

Q1. Why does India need specialised Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) when it already has large naval warships?

Answer: Large warships perform well in deep seas, but shallow coastal waters present different challenges. Enemy submarines can hide more easily because sonar performance is affected by the seabed and changing water conditions. ASW-SWC vessels are specially designed to operate effectively in such areas and strengthen coastal security.

Q2. How does INS Malvan support both India's defence preparedness and its goal of self-reliance?

Answer: INS Malvan improves the Navy's ability to detect and counter submarines while being built with more than 80% indigenous content. It strengthens domestic defence manufacturing, supports Indian companies and MSMEs, reduces dependence on imports, and builds long-term technological capability within the country.

Q3. Why is replacing ageing naval platforms as important as acquiring new warships?

Answer: Older platforms become expensive to maintain and may not match modern threats or technology. Replacing them improves operational readiness, reliability and combat effectiveness. Modern vessels also provide better sensors, weapons and network capabilities, helping the Navy respond faster and more effectively to evolving maritime challenges.

Q4. How can a vessel like INS Malvan contribute to India's wider maritime strategy beyond anti-submarine warfare?

Answer: Besides hunting submarines, INS Malvan can conduct coastal patrols, search and rescue missions, low-intensity maritime operations and surveillance. These roles improve maritime domain awareness, protect coastal communities, secure shipping routes and strengthen India's overall presence in the Indian Ocean Region.

Q5. Why is indigenous defence manufacturing important not only for national security but also for economic development?

Answer: Domestic defence production creates skilled jobs, supports research and innovation, strengthens MSMEs and reduces foreign dependence. It also saves foreign exchange and builds industrial capability. A strong indigenous defence sector improves strategic autonomy while contributing to economic growth and technological advancement simultaneously.