Keel Laying of the eighth and last ship (BY 530), Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), which is being built at Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi, was undertaken on 29 May 2025 in the presence of VAdm Rajaram Swaminathan, CWP&A. Senior officials of the Indian Navy and CSL also attended the ceremony. This milestone of ‘Keel Laying’ of the last ship signifies steady progress in the vital shipbuilding project, with all platforms at advanced stages of production. With over 80% indigenous content, these ships exemplify the Government of India’s initiative of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India.
The contract for building eight ASW SWC ships was awarded to CSL, Kochi by the Ministry of Defence on 30 Apr 2019. These ships, known as the ‘Mahe’ class, are being equipped with indigenously developed state of the art Underwater Sensors, and are envisaged to undertake Anti-Submarine operations as well as Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and Mine Laying Operations.
The eight ships in this class are scheduled to be delivered to the Indian Navy between Aug 2025 and Jun 2028, and will further enhance the Indian Navy’s Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities.