The Indian Navy officially received its new anti-submarine warfare corvette INS Mahe (P80) from Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) during a ceremony held in Kochi on October 23, 2025. The vessel is the first of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) built under a 2019 contract aimed at strengthening India’s coastal and littoral defense capability.
Built with over 90% indigenous content, INS Mahe exemplifies India’s ongoing drive for self-reliance in defense manufacturing and naval modernization.
Advanced Shallow-Water Corvette Design
At 78 meters in length, INS Mahe is India’s largest naval vessel equipped with a diesel–waterjet propulsion system, providing exceptional maneuverability in confined waters while minimizing acoustic and magnetic signatures. The corvette achieves a maximum speed of 25 knots and a range of 1,800 nautical miles, supporting extended patrols up to 200 nautical miles from the coastline.
Constructed with low-magnetic steel and stealth-oriented hull geometry, the ship incorporates acoustic damping materials and heat signature management features to enhance survivability.
Combat Systems and Sensor Suite
The Mahe is equipped with a DRDO-developed Abhay hull-mounted sonar and a Low-Frequency Variable Depth Sonar (LFVDS) for detecting submarines at multiple depths.
Its combat systems include an RBU-6000 anti-submarine rocket launcher, two triple lightweight torpedo launchers, mine-laying rails, and a 30 mm naval gun with an electro-optical fire control system. For close-range defense, it mounts two 12.7 mm stabilized remote-controlled guns.
All systems are integrated into an automated combat management network, allowing real-time target tracking, damage control, and coordinated response.
Design and Industry Collaboration
The corvette’s design was developed through collaboration between India’s Smart Engineering & Design Solutions (SEDS) and Finland-based Surma Ltd, which provided survivability modeling and signature management expertise.
Key components were sourced domestically from leading defense firms including Bharat Electronics Limited, Mahindra Defence, and Larsen & Toubro. The ship complies with Det Norske Veritas (DNV) classification standards and underwent extensive propulsion and acoustic trials prior to delivery.
Strengthening India’s Littoral Defense Network
The induction of INS Mahe marks a significant step toward India’s goal of expanding its naval fleet to 175–200 warships by 2035. Operating alongside Kamorta-class corvettes, Next Generation Missile Vessels, and P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, the Mahe will form part of a multi-layered coastal defense grid.
Its mission profile includes anti-submarine patrols, mine-laying, and search-and-rescue operations—bridging the gap between large surface combatants and smaller patrol craft, and reinforcing India’s maritime presence across both coasts.
