Indian Navy Launches Indigenous ASW Craft Machilipatnam to Strengthen Coastal Defence

The Indian Navy launched Machilipatnam, the seventh of eight Mahe class Anti Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), marking another milestone in India's indigenous warship building programme and boosting its ability to counter underwater threats in coastal waters.

The vessel, designated BY 529, was launched at CSL in Kochi in the presence of Vice Admiral Atul Anand, Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs. Senior officials from the Indian Navy, CSL and other dignitaries attended the ceremony.

Named after the historic port city of Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district, the ship reflects the city's rich maritime heritage and centuries old trading links along India's eastern coast. Like other vessels in the Mahe class, it is named after a historic Indian coastal town and carries forward the legacy of the Navy's earlier minesweepers.

Machilipatnam is designed for underwater surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and mine warfare. It is purpose built to hunt enemy submarines operating in shallow coastal waters, harbours and approaches to naval bases, an area where larger warships are less effective. The vessel can also undertake coordinated anti-submarine missions with naval aircraft, protect critical sea lanes and support search and rescue operations.

The ship is about 78 metres long, displaces around 1,100 tonnes, has a top speed of 25 knots and an endurance of nearly 1,800 nautical miles. It accommodates a crew of about 57 personnel and is powered by waterjet propulsion, giving it exceptional manoeuvrability in shallow waters. It is equipped with indigenously developed sonar systems, advanced radar and electronic sensors, lightweight torpedoes, multifunctional anti submarine rockets, mine laying capability, a 30 mm naval gun, 12.7 mm remote controlled guns, torpedo decoy systems and a flight deck capable of operating a lightweight helicopter or UAV for surveillance missions. Its low radar, acoustic and infrared signatures further enhance survivability.

Built with over 80 per cent indigenous content, Machilipatnam is a major boost to the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. The ₹6,311 crore project, awarded by the Ministry of Defence to CSL in April 2019, involves more than 100 Indian MSMEs supplying key systems and equipment, reflecting the growing strength of India's defence manufacturing ecosystem.

The launch comes just a week after the commissioning of INS Malvan, the second Mahe class vessel, highlighting the Navy's steady induction of indigenous anti-submarine platforms. The Mahe class will replace the ageing Abhay class corvettes, while a parallel programme is building eight Arnala class ASW shallow water craft at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers. Together, the 16 specialised vessels will significantly strengthen India's coastal anti-submarine capability as submarine activity in the Indian Ocean Region continues to grow. Deliveries of the CSL built vessels are scheduled between August 2025 and June 2028.