Navy to commission submarine hunter Malvan as China, Pakistan expand underwater fleet
The Indian Navy is preparing to commission the anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW-SWC) named Malvan, which represents a significant enhancement to its fleet amid increasing submarine activities from China and Pakistan in the Indian Ocean. This vessel, named after a coastal town in Maharashtra, is the second of eight Mahe-class ASW-SWCs built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, with over 80% of its components sourced domestically. The program aims to bolster India's capabilities in countering underwater threats in coastal waters. The Mahe-class vessels are designed for various missions, including subsurface surveillance and anti-submarine warfare operations. Equipped with advanced sensors and a robust weapons suite, these ships can effectively detect and neutralize hostile submarines, ensuring the protection of vital ports. Their capabilities are complemented by secondary roles such as mine-laying and search-and-rescue operations. With a displacement of up to 1,100 tonnes and a maximum speed of 25 knots, the Malvan is engineered for agility and endurance. Its commissioning comes at a crucial time, as India seeks to maintain its undersea deterrence in light of expanding adversarial submarine fleets. The introduction of these vessels will provide the Indian Navy with a versatile and cost-effective solution to address emerging maritime challenges.
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