Keel Laying of the sixth ship (BY 528, Magdala) of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) project was undertaken in presence of RAdm Satish Shenai, CSO (Training), Southern Naval Command on 17 Dec 24. Senior officials of Indian Navy and CSL were also present for the ceremony. With almost all major and auxiliary equipment/ systems sourced from indigenous manufacturers, these ships showcase the GoI initiative of "Aatmanirbhar Bharat". This milestone, within months of the launching of the fourth and fifth ASW SWC ships at CSL in Sep 24, demonstrates the 'Make in India' capability of the Indian Shipyards.

Contract for building eight ASW SWC ships was awarded to Cochin Shipyard Limited by the Ministry of Defence on 30 Apr 19. The ships known as the 'Mahe' class, will be equipped with indigenously developed, state-of-the-art underwater sensors, and are envisaged to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters as well as Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and Mine Laying Operations.

The first ship of the project is planned to be delivered in early 2025. Besides enhancing Indian Navy's Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities, the high indigenous content on these ASW SWC ships is also generating large scale employment and capability enhancement of Indian Manufacturing Units.

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VM/SKS 269/24