INS Malvan Joins Indian Navy: The Indian Navy added INS Malvan to its fleet on 22 July 2026 at Karwar. This is the second ship in the eight-ship Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft series. The commissioning marked another step in India’s push to build more of its own warships at home. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh led the ceremony. Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan was also present, along with other senior naval officers, Cochin Shipyard Ltd. representatives, veterans, and guests. The ship has more than 80% indigenous content, which means most of it was made in India.
A Name Linked To Coastal Heritage
INS Malvan carries a name tied to the coastal town of Malvan in Maharashtra. That region is closely linked with the maritime history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The new ship also carries forward the name of an older Indian Navy minesweeper that served for 19 years before it was decommissioned in 2003. Its crest features the “Bagh Nakha” or Tiger’s Claw. The waves around it stand for the sea and the Navy’s watch over India’s coastline. The ship’s motto is “Silent Claws”.
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Built For Quiet Work In Shallow Waters
This warship is made for underwater surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, low-intensity maritime operations, and mine warfare. It is meant to work in coastal and shallow waters where larger ships can face limits. The Navy says the ship can work with larger surface ships, submarines, and aircraft as part of a wider sea defence network. Reports also describe the Mahe-class as a compact coastal hunter built for speed and silent movement, with the class using water-jet style propulsion. Other reports say the ship is about 80 metres long and displaces a little over 1,100 tonnes.
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The ceremony also highlighted the bigger purpose behind the ship. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said safe sea routes are important for trade and for the country’s economic health. He also praised the Navy’s work in indigenisation and pointed to the ship’s over 80% local content. He stressed that the Army, Navy, and Air Force must work closely together in future conflicts. In simple terms, INS Malvan is not just another ship. It is meant to strengthen India’s coastal defence and make the Navy better prepared for underwater threats.
