The keel laying ceremony for the sixth ship of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) project, designated BY 528, Magdala, was held on December 17, 2024, at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi. The event was graced by Rear Admiral Satish Shenai, Chief Staff Officer (Training) of the Southern Naval Command, along with senior officials from the Indian Navy and CSL.
This significant milestone highlights the progress of the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, as nearly all major and auxiliary systems for these ships are sourced from indigenous manufacturers. The rapid advancement of this project, marked by the keel laying just months after the launching of the fourth and fifth ASW SWC ships in September 2024, underscores the ‘Make in India’ capabilities of Indian shipyards.
The ASW SWC Project
The Ministry of Defence awarded CSL the contract for constructing eight ASW SWC ships on April 30, 2019. Known as the ‘Mahe’ class, these vessels are equipped with advanced, indigenously developed underwater sensors and are designed for:
- Anti-submarine warfare operations in coastal waters.
- Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO).
- Mine-laying missions.
The first ship of the project is scheduled for delivery in early 2025, signaling a major boost to the Indian Navy’s operational capabilities. The high indigenous content in the ASW SWC ships is not only strengthening India’s defense infrastructure but also creating significant employment opportunities and enhancing the capabilities of domestic manufacturing units.
The ASW SWC project reflects India’s commitment to bolstering self-reliance in defense production and expanding its maritime capabilities to ensure security in coastal waters.
