In a major step for India’s defence manufacturing programme, the Indian Navy has received ‘Malwan’, the second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC). The vessel was built by Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi. This induction marks another milestone under the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, which aims to strengthen domestic defence production.

‘Malwan’ Strengthens India’s Indigenous Shipbuilding Push

‘Malwan’ is the second ship in a planned fleet of eight shallow water anti-submarine warfare vessels. These ships are designed and built entirely in India, following naval standards. Notably, the vessel includes over 80% indigenous content. This highlights the growing contribution of domestic industries and MSMEs in building advanced warships.

Named After Historic Coastal Town

The ship is named after Malwan, a historic town in Maharashtra. The name also honours the earlier INS Malwan, a minesweeper that served the Navy until 2003. This reflects the Navy’s tradition of preserving its maritime heritage while introducing modern platforms.

Advanced Design for Coastal Operations

The vessel measures nearly 80 metres in length and has a displacement of around 1,100 tonnes. It is specifically designed for operations in shallow coastal waters.

Moreover, it uses a high-agility waterjet propulsion system. This allows better manoeuvrability in littoral zones, where detecting and tracking submarines is more challenging.

Equipped for Modern Anti-Submarine Warfare

‘Malwan’ comes with advanced combat capabilities. It is equipped with torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, and modern sonar systems. In addition, it carries advanced radar and surveillance equipment.

These features enable the vessel to conduct effective underwater surveillance and anti-submarine missions.

Multi-Role Capability Enhances Coastal Security

Apart from its primary anti-submarine role, the ship can also handle low-intensity maritime operations. It is capable of supporting mine warfare as well. This multi-role capability increases its importance in strengthening coastal defence.

Boost to India’s Maritime Security and Self-Reliance

The delivery of ‘Malwan’ highlights the Navy’s continued focus on expanding its coastal and underwater warfare strength through indigenous platforms.

At the same time, it reinforces India’s long-term goal of achieving strategic autonomy in defence manufacturing while enhancing maritime security.