Mumbai, Nov 24 (NationPress) The Indian Navy has officially integrated INS Mahe, the inaugural vessel of the Mahe-class anti-submarine warfare shallow-water craft, on Monday. This significant milestone enhances India's coastal defence and boosts the Navy's operational readiness in littoral zones.

Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi graced the commissioning ceremony as the chief guest, emphasizing the critical tri-service synergy essential for national security.

The event took place at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, introducing a new generation of indigenous shallow-water combatants that the Navy proudly characterizes as sleek, swift, and resolutely Indian.

General Dwivedi remarked, "This ceremony signifies not just the induction of a formidable new platform into our maritime operations but also highlights our country's growing ability to design, build, and deploy sophisticated combat vessels using indigenous technology."

He added, "The commissioning of INS Mahe reinforces the Navy's evolution into a Builders' Navy, capable of designing, constructing, and maintaining its combat platforms. Presently, over 75 percent of the Navy's capital acquisitions are sourced locally. From warships and submarines to advanced sonar and weapon systems, Indian shipyards, both public and private, exemplify our nation's industrial and technological prowess."

Encouraging the newly assigned crew to maintain the highest standards, the Army chief stated, "From this day forward, the responsibility rests upon you. You are the guardians of her spirit, discipline, and combat edge. Remember, the ship's strength is determined by those who serve aboard her. Your courage will define her spirit, your character will uphold her reputation. The nation will rest easy knowing you are vigilant, and India's tricolour will soar across the seas, thanks to your defence of it."

Reflecting on Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7, General Dwivedi noted, "The strength of our armed forces lies in their synergy. Sea, land, and air form an integrated continuum of national security, and together the Army, Navy, and Air Force constitute India's strategic trinity... We maintain operational vigilance across all domains from Ladakh to the Indian Ocean, encompassing information warfare to joint logistics. Operation Sindoor exemplified that synergy."

“As INS Mahe raises the ensign today, she embodies not just the aspirations of the Navy, but the united faith of a nation standing behind her. May her journeys be safe, her missions successful, and her crew unwavering in service to India,” he concluded.

Following the commissioning, General Dwivedi participated in a guided tour of INS Mahe, which was constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).

This vessel marks a significant achievement in India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, integrating a compact design with robust anti-submarine warfare capabilities vital for littoral supremacy.

INS Mahe derives its name from the historic coastal region of Mahe along the Malabar Coast, with its crest depicting the 'Urumi', the flexible sword of Kalarippayattu, symbolizing agility, precision, and lethal effectiveness.

“With its combination of firepower, stealth, and mobility, this ship is designed for submarine hunting, coastal patrols, and securing India's critical maritime routes,” stated a Navy official, emphasizing the platform's essential role in fortifying India's maritime security framework.