Indian Navy Launches Indigenous ASW Craft Machilipatnam to Strengthen Coastal Defence

The Indian Navy has launched Machilipatnam, the seventh vessel in a series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft being constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited. The launch marks another important step in the Navy’s programme to expand its indigenous coastal anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

Machilipatnam has been designed to conduct underwater surveillance and detect, track and counter hostile submarines operating close to India’s coastline. The vessel will also support low-intensity maritime operations, mine-warfare missions and broader coastal-security duties.

The ship’s sensors and operational systems are expected to improve maritime-domain awareness by helping the Navy monitor underwater activity in shallow and congested coastal waters. Such areas present complex operational challenges because conventional large warships have limited manoeuvrability and submarines can exploit coastal noise, seabed conditions and commercial vessel traffic to conceal their movements.

The Mahe-class vessels are capable of reaching speeds of around 25 knots and have an endurance of approximately 1,800 nautical miles. They are designed to carry modern sonar systems and specialised anti-submarine weapons for operations in coastal waters. The class will eventually replace the Indian Navy’s ageing Abhay-class anti-submarine corvettes.

More than 80 per cent of the content used in the Machilipatnam project is indigenous, reflecting the increasing capabilities of Indian shipyards, equipment manufacturers and naval-system developers. The programme also supports domestic employment and strengthens India’s ability to design, construct and integrate technologically advanced warships within the country.

The vessel takes its name from Machilipatnam, the historic port city of Andhra Pradesh with a long maritime and commercial legacy. The naming connects the modern warship with India’s coastal heritage while recognising the port city’s historic contribution to maritime trade.

Once commissioned and deployed, Machilipatnam will reinforce the Navy’s ability to protect naval bases, commercial ports, offshore infrastructure and vital sea routes. Its launch strengthens India’s coastal defence architecture and represents another milestone in the country’s drive towards self-reliance in naval shipbuilding.

Source: PIB