Indian Navy gets boost: INS Mahe, 'silent hunter' anti-submarine ship, commissioned in Mumbai

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) : The "Silent Hunter," or anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft "Mahe," was commissioned into the Indian Navy on Monday. This anti-submarine ship symbolizes stealth missions, vigilance, and unwavering resolve.

According to the Navy, "Mahe" is designed for high-risk missions in coastal areas. Its capabilities make it a powerful and efficient shallow-water combatant. The ship is capable of carrying out large and dangerous missions, including anti-submarine warfare.

According to the Ministry of Defense, more than 80 percent of the material used in this Indian Navy ship is indigenous. Mahe is equipped with state-of-the-art and advanced sensors, weapons, and modern integration systems. The ship was commissioned into the Navy on Monday in the presence of Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi.

Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, along with other officers, personnel, veterans and other guests were present on the occasion. According to the Indian Navy, the name 'Mahe' is named after the historic town of Mahe on the Malabar coast. Mahe is known for its cultural richness and maritime history. On November 24, the Indian Navy's first Mahe class anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft was officially inducted into the Navy.

It symbolizes indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities. Mahe was built in India by the Cochin Shipyard. This makes Mahe a powerful example of self-reliant India in the defense sector. A total of eight anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft ships of this class will be inducted into the Navy, with Mahe being the first of these.

The Navy's 'Mahe' is specifically designed for high-risk missions in coastal areas. Its capabilities make it a potent shallow-water combatant. Its primary operational roles include anti-submarine warfare, detecting and destroying enemy submarines in shallow waters, and deploying it for coastal patrol, coastal security, and surveillance. This will enhance maritime domain awareness, enhance the security of key sea lanes and ports, and ensure rapid response for special missions.

The crest of this shallow craft depicts the "Urumi," the flexible sword of Kalaripayattu. This crest is quite attractive. According to the Navy, it symbolizes agility, precision, lethality, and the ability to deal with maritime challenges. Following the commissioning of Mahe on Monday, experts said that the commissioning of Mahe is not just the induction of a ship into the Navy.

According to experts, this ship is a testament to India's design-to-delivery capability at sea. It is fast, agile, and marks the beginning of a new era of modern indigenous combat ships. Experts call this day a significant milestone in the Indian Navy's indigenous warship history.