NEW DELHI: Beefing up the country’s submarine hunter fleet to counter rising underwater presence of Chinese Navy in the Indian Ocean Region, the Indian Navy on Wednesday commissioned Malvan, the second of the Mahe-class anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW-SWC) at the Karwar naval base, Karnataka, on Wednesday.The ceremony was presided over by IAF chief Air Chief Marshal A P Singh in the presence of Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command.Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), the 80-metre-long vessel, with a displacement of over 1,100 tonnes, is designed to conduct anti-submarine operations in coastal and shallow waters, support low intensity maritime operations (LIMO) and mine warfare. With over 80% indigenous content, the warship exemplifies India’s growing mastery in warship design, construction and integration.Lauding the Indian Navy’s impressive growth and its commitment to the Aatmanirbhar initiative, ACM Singh said, “No future war is going to be fought by an individual service. All of us, whether we are in blues (IAF), whites (Navy), or OGs (Olive Green of the Army), or whichever colour, whether we are in allied services, we all have to fight together as one nation, and then only we will succeed.”He said the momentum that this collective mission has gained over the last four to five years, particularly after the creation of the Chief of Defence Staff post, will continue to grow stronger. “All of us will move forward together and bring greater glory to the nation,” he said.The IAF chief emphasised the critical importance of safeguarding sea lines of communication to ensure unimpeded maritime trade – foundational to the nation’s economic success, amid global uncertainties.Drawing inspiration from the Indian Navy’s model of embedding officers directly into the shipbuilding process, he emphasised that similar practices could accelerate self-reliance across the broader defence ecosystem.Named after the historic coastal town of Malwan, the warship reflects the rich maritime legacy associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and carries forward the tradition of the erstwhile INS Malwan, which served the Indian Navy till 2003.The crest of INS Malvan carries the ‘Bagh Nakha’ (Tiger’s Claw), (used by Shivaji), symbolising bravery, warfare tactics, agility and audacity, resonating with the ship’s ethos to attack rapidly and strike silently.To counter the growing deployment of nuclear and conventional submarines by China and Pakistan in IOR, Indian Navy is inducting 16 specialised ASW-SWCs to hunt enemy submarines and secure the country’s 11,098-km coastline.A total of eight Arnala-class anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft are being built for the Indian Navy, while the remaining eight vessels belong to the Mahe-class.The Indian Navy currently operates an active fleet of approximately 145 warships and submarines, with an aggressive modernisation plan to reach a 200-ship fleet by 2035 to safeguard its maritime boundary as China is rapidly expanding its presence in the Indo-Pacific region.China operates approximately 60 to 65 submarines, while Pakistan currently has an active fleet of 8 submarines, with an ongoing $5 billion modernisation program to expand its fleet to 13 boats.The Navy plans to induct nearly 50 warships and support vessels over the next 3 to 4 years amid rising regional security competition and growing pressure on key sea lanes.
