The Indian Navy on Wednesday marked another milestone in its indigenous shipbuilding programme with the launch of Machilipatnam (BY 529), the seventh of eight Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).
The vessel was launched at Cochin Shipyard by Goolrukh Anand in the presence of Vice Admiral Atul Anand, Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs. Senior officials of the Indian Navy, Cochin Shipyard Limited and other dignitaries attended the ceremony.
Named after the historic port city of Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh’s Krishna district, the ship honours the city’s rich maritime heritage and longstanding role as a major trading hub along India’s eastern coast.
According to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), the vessel is designed to undertake underwater surveillance, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations, low-intensity maritime operations (LIMO) and mine warfare missions. Once inducted, it is expected to strengthen India’s coastal defence capabilities and enhance maritime domain awareness.
The launch of Machilipatnam marks another significant milestone in the execution of the Navy’s ASW Shallow Water Craft programme, aimed at enhancing India’s capability to detect and neutralise underwater threats in coastal waters.
Built with more than 80 per cent indigenous content, the project reflects the country’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The programme also highlights the increasing capabilities of India’s domestic shipbuilding industry in designing and constructing advanced naval platforms.
The Ministry said the induction of the Mahe-class vessels will significantly improve its operational readiness and strengthen maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region, reinforcing India’s ability to safeguard its maritime interests.
