INS Mahe Exclusive: Further strengthening Indian maritime security, the Navy has added another ‘silent killer’ to its fleet – INS Mahe. This 78 meter long warship, equipped with state-of-the-art sonar system and capable of chasing and destroying enemy submarines, has come to give a new edge to India’s coastal security. Its agility in the water and low-acoustic signature make it a bit like a ‘killer whale’ – both silent and deadly.
StuffUnknownteam boarded INS Mahe and showed an exclusive part of every power, every weapon and every scanning technology of this indigenous warship. This is not just a ship, but a successful model of ‘Make in India’ in which more than 80% of the technology is completely indigenous.
INS Mahe: The new Indian warrior of anti-submarine warfare
INS Mahe is the first warship of the Anti-Submarine Warfare-Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) class. This ship, built at Cochin Shipyard, has been designed to search, monitor and attack enemy submarines in shallow sea areas. Commanding Officer Amit Dubey told StuffUnknown, “It is not just a ship, but a multi-role platform, capable of performing multiple missions simultaneously.”
One Ship- Many Missions
- Anti-submarine operations.
- Coastal security and surveillance.
- Search and rescue mission.
- Ability to lay and defuse mines.
- High-precision operation in shallow water.
- Rapid response operations at sea.
This multi-role capability of INS Mahe is clearly visible in the video.
The name of this warship has been taken from ‘Mahe’ – the historical town on the Malabar coast.
Technical Strengths of INS Mahe: Speed, Agility and Silence
Speed, balance and low-acoustic signature make INS Mahe different from other ships.
Technical Specs-
- Displacement: 896–1,100 tons
- Length: 78 meters
- Beam: 11.26 m
- Draft: 2.7 meters (perfect for shallow seas)
- Propulsion: Water-jet system – turns fast, changes direction, great agility
INS Mahe can reach speeds of up to 25 knots (46 km/h) and has a range of 1,800 nautical miles. It is manned by 2 RHIB boats and a 57-member crew (7 officers + 50 sailors).
The real lethal power of INS Mahe is its two-stage sonar system
Core Capabilities of INS Mahe
| Capacity | Description |
| Speed | 25 knots |
| Range | 1,800 nautical miles |
| crew | 57 members |
| Construction | Cochin Shipyard |
| Technology | 80% indigenous |
| Speciality | Anti-submarine operations in shallow water |
Advanced Sonar-‘Silent Submarine Hunter’
The real lethal force of INS Mahe is its two-stage sonar system. Speaking to StuffUnknown, Lieutenant Commander Prateek Srivastava explains, “Mahe’s sonar system detects the enemy submarine even in its calmest state.”
DRDO Abhay Hull-Mounted Sonar
– Continuous 360° surveillance around the ship
– Ability to detect even the smallest sound
– Extremely effective even in shallow water
Low Frequency Variable Depth Sonar (LFVDS)
– underwater sonar
– Long range target detection
– Useful in areas where surface sonar does not work
This system makes INS Mahe the ‘silent hunter of the sea’.
Weapons: Enemy Submarines Era
The upper-deck walk in the video gives a full glimpse of the ship’s weapons.
main weapon
- IRL Anti-Submarine Rocket Launcher (12 barrel)
- Triple Lightweight Torpedo Launcher (6 Torpedoes Total)
- Advanced Lightweight Torpedo (ALWT) System
- rapid-firing defense cannon
- Mine-laying Rails
ALWT Torpedoes chase the enemy submarine and destroy it with precise aim.
INS Mahe can reach speeds of up to 25 knots (46 km/h) and has a range of 1,800 nautical miles.
History in the name – ‘Mahe’ related to people
The name of this warship has been taken from ‘Mahe’ – the historical town of Malabar coast. Its crest depicts ‘Urumi’—the traditional whip sword of Kalaripayattu, which symbolizes agility, quickness and accuracy. INS Mahe is also a modern maritime version of these qualities.
New chapter of India’s maritime security
INS Mahe not only enhances the strength of the Navy, but it is also a new proof of India’s indigenous defense manufacturing capability. StuffUnknown’s exclusive report states that in the coming years, this ship will play a decisive role in coastal security, anti-submarine operations and guarding maritime borders.
