Indian Navy Commissions INS Malvan Under Aatmanirbhar Bharat

India has commissioned the INS Malvan, it is the second Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC). Launched on 22nd July 2026 in Karwar, this indigenous war vessel has been a testament to India’s progress toward self-reliance in the defence sector due to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat campaign. Having been built with more than 80% Indian content, the INS Malvan will help in to enhancing anti-submarine warfare, mine warfare, underwater surveillance, and coastal security.

Indian Navy Launched INS Malvan

On July 22nd, 2026, the Indian Navy has launched the INS Malvan at the Karwar Naval Base.

Respectable Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh presided over the launch, he was accompanied by Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan and senior navy officers, as well as representatives of the Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), former service men, and other notable attendees.

INS Malvan is the second vessel of the Mahe-class of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft category and the sixth ASW-SWC vessel to join the Indian Navy fleet.

What is INS Malvan?

INS Malvan is a modern Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) developed for operations in coastal and shallow waters of India.

The craft has been developed by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, which indicates the country’s growing capabilities in indigenous naval shipbuilding.

The ship’s name is inspired by Malvan, an ancient coastal town in Maharashtra, which honors the seafaring tradition of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who is considered the father of Indian naval history.

The vessel is a successor of the Minesweeping Craft that served in the Indian Navy till 2003.

Key Features of INS Malvan

The ship ISN Malvan has been fitted with modern technology that helps make it as one of the best shallow water combat vessels in the Indian Naval fleet.

Main Characteristics of the Ship

It is the second ship of Mahe Class Anti Submarine Warship category.

• The builder of the ship is Cochin shipyard limited, India;
• The ship has more than 80% local content in its construction;
• The main function of the ship is to be utilized for anti-submarine warfare;
• The ship has the capacity to carry out underwater surveillance;
• The ship is capable of mine warfare;
• The ship will carry out low-intensity maritime operations;
• It contributes to enhancing maritime domain awareness and maritime security in coastal areas;

Due to its small size, the vessel is able to operate in the shallow coastal waters where that are operational problems with larger ships.

Indigenous Defence Manufacturing Receives Huge Boost

One of the most remarkable features of INS Malvan is its high percentage of indigenous content.

More than 80% of the systems and equipment onboard the ship are of Indian origin, the success of Aatmanirbhar Bharat program by the Government of India can be clearly witnessed by this development.

Ship is indicative of the impressive growth of Indian capabilities in the following sectors are,

• Ship design
• Defence electronics
• Indigenous sensors
• Weapon systems development
• Shipbuilding technology
• System development

In addition, it reflects the cooperation between public and private sector industries in India in developing state-of-the-art naval vessels.