Goa, 22 July 2026

 

The Indian Navy on Wednesday commissioned INS Malvan, the second indigenously designed and built Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), into service at Karwar, marking another milestone in India's growing indigenous naval capability under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

The commissioning ceremony was presided over by Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff. Addressing the gathering at the event, he talked about the importance of securing sea lines of communication to ensure uninterrupted maritime trade, describing it as vital to India's economic growth in an increasingly uncertain global environment. He praised the Indian Navy's progress in indigenisation, highlighting the warship's over 80 per cent indigenous content.

The Chief of the Air Staff also commended the Navy's practice of embedding its officers in the shipbuilding process, saying the approach could serve as a model for accelerating self-reliance across the wider defence ecosystem. Stressing the need for greater synergy among the armed forces, he reaffirmed the vision of seamless tri-service integration involving the Army, Navy and Air Force to effectively meet future security challenges.

Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, was also present at the event along with senior naval officers, representatives from Cochin Shipyard Ltd., Kochi, veterans and other guests.

INS Malvan inherits the legacy of its predecessor, an Indian Navy inshore minesweeper that served the nation with distinction for 19 years before being decommissioned in 2003.

The ship's crest features the 'Bagh Nakha' (Tiger's Claw), symbolising bravery, agility, audacity and tactical warfare. Surrounded by waves representing India's vast maritime domain, the emblem reflects the Indian Navy's unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation's seas and sovereignty. The ship's motto, "Silent Claws", embodies stealth, precision and the ability to strike swiftly when required.

The ASW-SWC project is an important step towards enhancing indigenous defence manufacturing under the Government of India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The induction of INS Malvan enhances the Indian Navy's anti-submarine warfare capability. Designed to operate seamlessly alongside larger surface combatants, submarines and aviation assets, the warship strengthens the Navy's operational readiness and ability to safeguard the country’s maritime interests while ensuring national security across all maritime domains.

 

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