Will the Indian Navy Commission the Anti-Submarine Ship 'Mahe' Today?
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Key Takeaways
New Delhi, Nov 24 (NationPress) The Indian Navy is set to commission Mahe, the inaugural vessel of the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, during a ceremony at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on Monday.
The event, led by Vice-Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, will feature the Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi as the chief guest, according to an official announcement.
The commissioning of Mahe signifies the advent of a new era of homegrown shallow-water combat vessels that are sleek, swift, and firmly Indian.
With over 80 percent indigenous content, the Mahe-class exemplifies India's advancing expertise in warship design, construction, and integration, as stated in the announcement.
Mahe will function as a 'Silent Hunter' on the Western Seaboard, embodying self-reliance and a commitment to protecting India's maritime frontiers.
Constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kochi, Mahe represents the forefront of India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in naval shipbuilding.
Compact yet formidable, the vessel encapsulates agility, precision, and endurance—key traits required for dominating the littoral zones.
Equipped with a combination of firepower, stealth, and mobility, the ship is engineered to engage submarines, perform coastal patrols, and secure critical maritime access.
Named after the historic coastal town of Mahe on the Malabar Coast, the ship's crest features an 'Urumi', the flexible sword used in Kalaripayattu, symbolizing agility, precision, and deadly grace.
Recently, the Indian Navy unveiled the crest of Mahe, inspired by the region's cultural and martial heritage, showcasing an 'Urumi'—a symbol of Kerala's martial legacy—rising from the sea, as noted in the statement.
On another note, the Indian Navy has commenced preparations for Navy Day 2025, scheduled for December 3.
This day will feature an impressive operational demonstration at Shangumugham beach in Thiruvananthapuram, offering a vivid showcase of precision, professionalism, and the growing maritime capabilities of the force.
The event has been rescheduled from December 4 to a day earlier.
This initiative is part of the Navy's efforts to conduct Navy Day celebrations outside major naval bases, with previous years featuring demonstrations in Puri (Odisha) and Sindhudurg (Maharashtra).