INS Mangrol: Strengthening India’s Anti-Submarine Warfare Capabilities

15 Oct 2026

Tags: Science & Technology   S&T Developments   Technology indigenization

Source: The Indian Express

Context: The Indian Navy commissioned INS Mangrol, the third Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at Mumbai’s Naval Dockyard to strengthen coastal defence and underwater threat detection.

Key Features of INS Mangrol

• Indigenous construction: Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), INS Mangrol is the third of eight indigenously designed Mahe-class vessels being constructed.
• Indigenous content: The programme has over 80% indigenous content, reflecting India's growing defence shipbuilding capabilities.
• Naming: Named after the prominent fishing harbour of Mangrol in Gujarat's Junagadh district.
• Propulsion: Uses a diesel engine–waterjet propulsion system, offering high manoeuvrability and reduced underwater noise.
• Advanced capabilities: Equipped with indigenous sonar systems, advanced sensors, weapons and communication suites to detect, track and engage underwater threats.
• Armament: Includes torpedoes and multifunctional anti-submarine rockets.

Features of the Mahe Class

• Classification: Complies with the standards of Det Norske Veritas (DNV), an internationally recognised ship classification body.
• Multirole functions: Primarily designed for anti-submarine warfare in coastal waters, these vessels also support underwater surveillance, search and rescue (SAR), Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and mine-laying.
• Operational suitability: Their shallow draught, high manoeuvrability and advanced sonar make them suitable for operations in shallow and near-shore waters.

Mahe-Class ASW-SWC Programme

• Total vessels: Sixteen ASW-SWCs are being constructed by CSL and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
• Distribution: Eight vessels each have been contracted to CSL and GRSE.
• Project cost: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved procurement of 16 vessels in December 2013 for ₹13,000 crore.
• Fleet composition: The first eight vessels belong to the Arnala class, while the remaining eight belong to the Mahe class. The article states that the fleet is expected to be inducted over the following three years.

Importance for India’s Maritime Security

• Filling a capability gap: The vessels address limitations in tracking and engaging submarines, particularly quiet diesel-electric submarines operating close to the coast.
• Protecting critical infrastructure: They will help safeguard harbours, approaches to ports, shipping lanes, offshore energy installations and key naval bases.
• Optimising naval deployment: Dedicated shallow-water anti-submarine vessels will allow larger warships to focus on missions in deeper waters.
• Layered maritime surveillance: Operating alongside coastal radar networks, underwater sensors and maritime patrol aircraft, they will strengthen India's indigenous anti-submarine warfare capability.
• Indian Ocean Region (IOR): Improved coastal surveillance and underwater threat detection will reinforce India's maritime security posture in the strategically important Indian Ocean Region.

Key UPSC-Relevant Terms

• Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW): Naval operations involving the detection, tracking, deterrence and neutralisation of hostile submarines.
• Shallow Water Craft: Small naval vessels designed to operate in coastal and near-shore waters where larger warships may face operational constraints.
• Sonar: A technology that uses sound waves to detect and locate underwater objects.
• Indigenisation of defence: Development and domestic manufacture of defence platforms, equipment and technologies to reduce import dependence.

Conclusion: INS Mangrol strengthens India's indigenous coastal defence and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The Mahe-class programme supports maritime surveillance, protection of critical coastal infrastructure and greater self-reliance in defence manufacturing.