Navy to commission submarine hunter Malvan as China, Pakistan expand underwater fleet
The Indian Navy is commissioning the ASW-SWC Malvan, an indigenous anti-submarine warfare vessel, to bolster coastal defense. This move comes as India seeks to counter increased underwater activity from China and Pakistan in the Indian Ocean.
Why it matters
The expansion of India's naval fleet reflects the intensifying geopolitical competition and maritime security concerns in the Indian Ocean Region.
The Indian Navy is set to commission the anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW-SWC) Malvan at Karwar on Wednesday, marking another addition to its fleet of home-built sub-hunters amid rising Chinese and Pakistani submarine activity in the Indian Ocean Region. Named after the coastal fort town in Maharashtra, Malvan is the second of eight Mahe-class ASW-SWCs being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited with over 80% indigenous content.The ASW-SWC programme is designed to strengthen India’s ability to counter underwater threats in littoral waters. A total of 16 vessels in two classes are being built: eight Arnala-class vessels for the Eastern Fleet by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers and eight Mahe-class vessels for the Western Fleet by Cochin Shipyard Limited. These ships are tailored for subsurface surveillance, search-and-attack missions and coordinated anti-submarine warfare operations with naval aircraft. They also have secondary roles such as minelaying and search-and-rescue.
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