The Indian Navy on Wednesday commissioned INS Malvan, the second vessel in the indigenous Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) series, at Karwar in Karnataka, strengthening its coastal anti-submarine warfare capabilities.
The commissioning ceremony was presided over by Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, in the presence of Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, along with senior naval officers, representatives of Cochin Shipyard Ltd. and veterans.
Addressing the ceremony, Air Chief Marshal Singh underlined the strategic importance of maritime security, saying secure sea lanes are essential for trade and national prosperity.
“We all understand how maritime security is important for any nation, as maritime routes decide trade and trade decides its destiny. The Indian Ocean region is important to us. The Indian Navy is playing a vital role in ensuring secure sea lines of communication so that trade continues unhindered,” he said.
Highlighting the ship’s indigenous content, Singh said the Navy had embraced self-reliance in defence production much earlier than the other services.
“With 80 per cent indigenous content in this warship, we will soon realise the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The Indian Navy adopted this approach from the beginning, while the IAF started much later. I hope the other two services, especially the IAF, learn from the Navy’s experience,” he said.
Vice Admiral Vatsayan described the commissioning as another milestone in India’s maritime journey and said INS Malvan was a testament to the country’s growing capability in indigenous warship construction.
“With over 80 per cent indigenous content, it is another testimony to India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Malvan is the first Indian naval ship to be commissioned at Karwar and the seventh naval vessel to be commissioned this year, with another 12 expected to follow,” he noted.
According to the Ministry of Defence, the induction of INS Malvan, built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd. in Kochi, marks the continued addition of a new generation of indigenous shallow-water anti-submarine warfare vessels designed to enhance the Navy’s coastal defence and surveillance capabilities.
(ANI)
