CSL launches two anti-submarine vessels of Indian Navy
- In Reports
- 12:10 PM, Sep 10, 2024
- Myind Staff
In a bid to enhance its anti-submarine warfare capabilities, the Indian Navy on Monday launched the fourth and fifth ships of the eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) project.
The vessels, Malpe and Mulki, were constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi. The two ships are part of a series of eight anti-submarine warfare shallow watercrafts currently under construction at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).
“In keeping with the maritime traditions, the two ships were launched by Mrs Vijaya Srinivas in the presence of Vice Admiral V Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Southern Naval Command,” the Navy said in a statement.
The Chairman and Managing Director of CSL, the Directors of CSL, and senior officials of the Indian Navy and CSL, among others were present during the occasion.
The Mahe class of ships will be fitted with state-of-the-art, indigenously developed underwater sensors. They are designed to conduct anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, along with low-intensity maritime operations and mine-laying missions.
“The ASW SWC ships are 78 m long and displacement is approx 900 tons. They can achieve a maximum speed of 25 knots with endurance of up to 1800 nautical miles,” the Navy said.
Contracts for Sixteen Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft ships for the construction of eight ships each from CSL, Kochi and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata respectively were signed in April 2019.
The delivery schedule of the ships was delayed as the MoD then said that delivery was “to commence from October 22, with two ships per year subsequently, by each shipyard.”
"The Mahe Class of Ships will replace the in-service Abhay class ASW Corvettes of the Indian Navy and are designed to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and Mine Laying Operations including subsurface surveillance," the CSL said in a release.
Given India's extensive coastline of 7,516.6 kilometres, with 12 major ports, 184 minor ports, and 1,197 island territories, coastal surveillance for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations is deemed crucial.
The induction of these specialised ships with a lower draught will significantly boost the Indian Navy's coastal shallow water ASW capabilities, enhancing the performance of weapons, sensors, hull-mounted and towed sonars.
“Simultaneous launch of these two ships highlights our strides in indigenous shipbuilding, towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” the Navy said.
“The ASW SWC ships will have over 80% indigenous content, thereby ensuring that large-scale defence production is executed by Indian manufacturing units, generating employment and capability enhancement within the country,” it said.
The Mahe class ASW Shallow Water Crafts have been named after strategically important ports along India's coast and aim to continue the proud legacy of the former minesweepers that shared their names.
Image source: The Hindu
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