Machilipatnam: Indigenous ASW Shallow Water Craft (Space & Defence Sectors)
Machilipatnam: Indigenous ASW Shallow Water Craft (Space & Defence Sectors)
Why In News:
The Indian Navy launched Machilipatnam (BY 529), the seventh Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), reinforcing India's indigenous coastal defence capability.
Source: PIB, 29 July 2026 - 'Machilipatnam - ASW Shallow Water Craft Launched'
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2291246®=3&lang=1
About the ASW SWC Project
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved procurement of 16 ASW Shallow Water Craft in December 2013 to replace the ageing Abhay-class corvettes (commissioned 1989-91).
The Abhay-class corvettes are Soviet-derived anti-submarine warfare vessels that are being replaced by the indigenous Shallow Water Crafts.
The ships are built primarily by Cochin Shipyard Limited, with indigenous content exceeding 80%, reflecting the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.
Their role includes underwater surveillance, anti-submarine warfare (ASW), Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), and mine-laying, strengthening coastal and near-shore defence.
About Machilipatnam
Named after the historic port city of Machilipatnam in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, known for its maritime trade legacy along India's eastern seaboard.
It is the seventh vessel in the series; the second ship, INS Malvan, was commissioned earlier in the same month (July 2026).
The class uses water-jet propulsion, enabling operation in shallow coastal waters unsuitable for larger vessels.
Key Facts for Prelims
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), headquartered in Kochi, also built India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, showcasing its expanding role in indigenous naval shipbuilding.
The project supports India's maritime domain awareness in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), aligned with the SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) doctrine.
Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) refers to naval operations aimed at detecting, tracking, and neutralising hostile submarines.
This launch complements other indigenous naval platforms such as Kamorta-class corvettes (ASW) and Kalvari-class submarines (Scorpene-class, built under Project-75).