New Delhi, April 2, 2026: The Indian Navy formally commissioned INS Malwan into service on March 31, marking a significant boost to its coastal defence architecture with the induction of a specialised anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft designed and built entirely within the country.
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| The Indian Navy's advanced anti-submarine corvette, INS Kamorta (P28), sails purposefully through the deep blue ocean, demonstrating its modern stealth capabilities and high operational readiness. Image: Theindianhawk.com |
The 77-metre-long, 900-tonne vessel, constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited, is the second ship in an eight-vessel programme aimed at strengthening underwater threat detection and neutralisation in littoral zones. With its advanced sonar suite, lightweight torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, and low-signature waterjet propulsion, INS Malwan is optimised for operations in waters as shallow as 10-15 metres — areas where larger frigates and destroyers face limitations.
Navy officials stated that the platform’s induction is particularly timely given increased submarine movements by regional navies in the Indian Ocean. INS Malwan will primarily operate along the eastern and western seaboards, with additional focus on protecting the island chains of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep. Its high manoeuvrability, top speed exceeding 25 knots, and reduced acoustic footprint allow it to conduct stealthy patrols, rapid response missions, and coordinated hunts alongside maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters.
The vessel incorporates over 80 per cent indigenous content, including critical sensors developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation. This aligns with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence manufacturing. The ship features an integrated combat management system that enables real-time data fusion from hull-mounted and towed array sonars, enhancing its ability to track quiet diesel-electric submarines and emerging unmanned underwater threats.
Defence analysts point out that platforms like INS Malwan address a long-standing gap in India’s near-seas capabilities. Traditional blue-water assets are being reserved for distant operations, while these compact vessels provide persistent presence in coastal and economic exclusion zones, safeguarding offshore oil rigs, trade routes, and strategic chokepoints.
The broader eight-ship programme, valued at several thousand crore rupees, is progressing on schedule, with subsequent vessels like Mangrol and others in various stages of construction. All are expected to join the fleet by 2028-29. This expansion will create a dedicated shallow-water ASW squadron capable of layered defence when operating alongside P-8I Poseidon aircraft and MH-60R Seahawk helicopters.
The commissioning ceremony, attended by senior Navy leadership, underscored the service’s commitment to building a 200-ship navy by 2050. INS Malwan not only adds combat capability but also supports the domestic shipbuilding ecosystem by generating employment in Kerala and associated industries across the country.
As maritime competition intensifies in the Indo-Pacific, such indigenously developed assets enhance India’s deterrence posture without escalating procurement costs. Naval planners view this class of ships as essential for maintaining maritime domain awareness amid hybrid threats that combine conventional submarines with drone swarms.
(With Input from News Agencies).