Navy commissions third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft ‘Mangrol’

• Mangrol, the Indian Navy’s third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), was commissioned in Mumbai on October 12.

• Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), the ship can operate alongside maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters and other warships to detect and counter submarine threats.

Why the ship was named ‘Mangrol’?

• ‘Mangrol’ derives its name from the coastal township of Mangrol in Gujarat's Surat district, which has historical maritime and strategic significance.

• The ship inherits the name the erstwhile minesweeper Mangrol which was decommissioned in 2004.

• The naming of the ship continues the Navy’s tradition of preserving the legacy of its former warships.

Key points on Mahe-class ASW SWCs:

• The contract for building eight ASW SWC ships was signed between the Ministry of Defence and Cochin Shipyard Limited on April 30, 2019.

• Designed and constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited, INS Mahe is the lead ship of eight vessels in her class. 

• Malvan was delivered to the Indian Navy on March 31, 2026.

• Malvan, the second of the Mahe-class (ASW SWC) was commissioned on July 22.

• Mangrol, Malpe, Mulki, Magdala and Machilipatnam are the other ships of Mahe-class.

• Keel laying of the eighth and last ship was undertaken on May 29, 2025.

• The Mahe class ASW SWCs have been named after ports of strategic importance along the coast of India, and will look to carry forward the glorious legacy of the erstwhile minesweepers which were their namesake.

Key points in INS Mangrol:

• The warship has been designed and constructed in accordance with the classification rules of Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and is equipped to undertake underwater surveillance, search and rescue operations and Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO).

• The vessel is specifically designed to conduct anti-submarine warfare operations in coastal waters and is also equipped with mine-laying capabilities. 

• Mangrol is equipped with modern weapons and sensors, including the Abhay Hull-Mounted Sonar, lightweight torpedoes, an indigenous anti-submarine rocket launcher and the Maareech Advanced Torpedo Decoy System.

• Powered by three diesel engines with waterjet propulsion, the ship offers high manoeuvrability for operations in shallow waters. 

• It is also capable of undertaking underwater surveillance, low-intensity maritime operations and mine warfare-related tasks. 

• The vessel has approximately 80 per cent indigenous content, reflecting India’s growing capabilities in indigenous warship design, construction and defence technology.