The Ministry of Defence on Tuesday announced the launch of two ships under the Eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft project. Built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) for the Indian Navy, Malpe and Mulki—the fourth and fifth ships of the project, respectively—were launched at the company’s headquarters in Kochi, Kerala.
The ships were launched by Vijaya Srinivas in the presence of VAdm V Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Southern Naval Command, in tandem with the maritime traditions, the ministry said in an official statement.
The Mahe class ASW Shallow Water Crafts have been named after ports of strategic importance along the coast of India.
They will look to carry forward the glorious legacy of the erstwhile minesweepers which were their namesake.
The contract for building eight ASW SWC ships was signed between CSL and the defence ministry on April 30, 2019.
The Mahe class of ships will be equipped with indigenously developed, state-of-the-art underwater sensors, and are envisaged to undertake anti-submarine operations in coastal waters as well as Low Intensity Maritime Operations and Mine Laying Operations, the ministry said.
The ASW SWC ships can achieve a maximum speed of 25 knots with endurance of up to 1,800 nautical miles.
The ASW SWC ships will have over 80 per cent indigenous content, thereby ensuring that large scale defence production is executed by Indian manufacturing units, generating employment and capability enhancement within the country, the ministry noted.
Cochin Shipyard (COCHINSHIP) shares ended 1.1 per cent higher at Rs 1,840.7 apiece on BSE after the news.
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