80% Local Components: India Commissions First Mahe-Class Anti-Submarine Craft

The Indian Navy has officially commissioned the first Mahe-class anti-submarine ship, INS Mahe (P80).

The ship was built at Cochin Shipyard in Ernakulam and features more than 80% Indian-made components, The Defense Post reports.

INS Mahe is named after the coastal city of Mahe in southwestern India and carries the motto Silent Hunters. Its emblem features the historical urumi sword, symbolizing agility and precision, and a cheetah representing speed and vigilance.

The ship is equipped with modern sonar systems, weapons, and communications systems to detect and neutralize underwater threats in coastal waters. Its compact combat suite allows autonomous operations near the coast while integrating with larger surface ships, submarines, and aircraft. The ASW-SWC program, launched in 2014, aims to produce 16 modern ships to counter underwater threats.

In 2017, construction responsibilities were divided among three companies: Cochin Shipyard, Larsen & Toubro, and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers. Cochin Shipyard received an order for eight Mahe-class ships, while the other two companies were tasked with building four Arnala-class ships each.

Each ship measures 78 meters in length, 11 meters in width, and has a crew of up to 57 personnel. Armament includes a 30-mm cannon, 12.7-mm remotely controlled machine guns, an RBU-6000 rocket launcher, light torpedoes, and anti-submarine mines.

The ship is powered by diesel engines driving waterjets, enabling speeds of up to 25 knots and a range of 1,800 nautical miles. The Indian Navy expects to receive all 16 ships under the program by the end of the decade.

Main Technical Characteristics of Mahe-Class Anti-Submarine Ships:

• Length: 78 meters
• Width: 11 meters
• Maximum speed: 25 knots
• Crew: 57

Armament:

• 30-mm cannon
• 12.7-mm remotely controlled machine guns
• RBU-6000 rocket launcher
• Light torpedoes
• Anti-submarine mines