Navy commissions ‘silent hunter’ INS Mahe; Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi says armed forces’ strength lies in synergy
INS Mahe is the first of the Mahe-class ASW-SWCs, a new generation of indigenous shallow-water combatants described as sleek, swift, and resolutely Indian.
The Indian Navy commissioned INS Mahe, its first anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW-SWC) with over 80 per cent indigenous parts, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai Monday after two years of rigorous sea trials.
Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi was invited as the chief guest for the first time in a naval commissioning ceremony hosted by Vice-Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.
Speaking on the occasion, General Dwivedi said the induction of INS Mahe marks not just the arrival of a potent platform in the Navy’s order of battle but also reflects the nation’s growing ability to design, construct, and deploy complex warships using indigenous technology. “India’s Tricolour will fly high across the oceans because you will defend it,” he added.
General Dwivedi quoted American author Helen Keller to underline the importance of jointness among the services.
“Alone we can do so little. Together we can do so much. So, as a soldier, we stood among seafarers. The strength of armed forces lies in synergy. The sea, land, and the skies form a single continuum of national security. And together, the Army-Navy and Air Force form the trinity of India’s strategic strength,” said General Dwivedi.
“In this age of multi-domain operations, our ability to act in concert from the depths of the ocean to the highest frontier will determine the security and influence of our republic.”
General Dwivedi added that the Army and Navy have always stood shoulder to shoulder in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions across the globe, as well as in amphibious operations. “The strength of armed forces lies in synergy, and Operation Sindoor is an apt example of this.”
Story continues below this ad
The ship is named after Mahe, a serene coastal enclave on the Malabar coast that forms part of the Union Territory of Puducherry. (Express Photo by Akash Patil)
Showcasing India’s increasing mastery INS Mahe will operate as a “silent hunter” on the western seaboard, dedicated to safeguarding India’s maritime frontiers, officials said. They said the ship showcases India’s increasing mastery in warship design, construction, and integration.
The ship’s construction began at the Cochin Shipyard around five years ago, with the steel-cutting ceremony held in December 2020, and keel laying on August 30, 2022. The ship was launched in November 2023, completed its first sea sortie in May this year, and was handed over to the Navy on October 23.
INS Mahe is the first of the Mahe-class ASW-SWCs, a new generation of indigenous shallow-water combatants described as sleek, swift, and resolutely Indian.
The earlier INS Mahe, a Soviet-built coastal minesweeper that entered service in 1983, was decommissioned in 2006 after 23 years of service.
Story continues below this ad
Officials said the legacy of the name Mahe in the Navy began with that vessel, commissioned at a time when inshore mine-countermeasure capability was crucial for securing port and harbour approaches.
Manish Kumar Pathak is a dedicated journalist reporting for The Indian Express from Mumbai. His work demonstrates substantial Expertise and Authority across the complex field of crime reporting, with a strong focus on law enforcement actions, fraud, and cyber security challenges facing the metropolitan region.
Expertise & Authority
Affiliation: Reports for the nationally recognized daily, The Indian Express, providing his content with high Trustworthiness.
Geographical Focus: Provides comprehensive, ground-level coverage of breaking news and investigative matters across Mumbai and the surrounding regions (e.g., Thane, Vasai).
Core Authority: His reporting portfolio highlights deep Expertise in crucial beats, including:
Cyber & Financial Crime: Extensive coverage of sophisticated scams, including cases involving high-value cyber fraud, stock market manipulation scams, and fraudsters using government figures to gain trust.
Law Enforcement & Investigation: Reports directly on major police actions, including arrests made by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in fraud cases (e.g., MHADA flat scams) and detailed coverage of murder and kidnapping investigations.
Major Incidents & Public Safety: Covers significant incidents like building collapses, road accidents, and public safety issues such as theft at large public events.
Defence & Maritime: Also covers key updates regarding the Indian Navy, including the commissioning of new vessels and strategic defense announcements.
Manish Kumar Pathak's consistent focus on crime, fraud, and the workings of the Mumbai police system establishes him as a trusted and authoritative source for critical news in Western India. ... Read More
The ship is named after Mahe, a serene coastal enclave on the Malabar coast that forms part of the Union Territory of Puducherry. (Express Photo by Akash Patil)
