The keel for the seventh ship (BY 529, Machilipatnam) of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) project was laid on 29 January 2025 in the presence of Rear Admiral Upal Kundu, Chief of Staff, Southern Naval Command. The ceremony was also attended by senior officials from the Indian Navy and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).
With nearly all major and auxiliary equipment sourced from indigenous manufacturers, these ships embody the Government of India’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative. This milestone, following the keel laying of the sixth ship in December 2024 and the launch of the fourth and fifth ships at CSL in September 2024, highlights the unwavering commitment of Indian shipyards to meeting the Indian Navy’s expanding operational needs.
The Ministry of Defence awarded the contract for constructing eight ASW SWC ships to Cochin Shipyard Limited on 30 April 2019. Known as the ‘Mahe’ class, these ships will feature indigenously developed, state-of-the-art underwater sensors and are designed for anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and Mine Laying Operations.
The first ship of the project is scheduled for delivery in early 2025. In addition to strengthening the Indian Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities, the high indigenous content in these ASW SWC ships is generating significant employment and enhancing the capabilities of Indian manufacturing units.
