Indian Navy to commission indigenous anti-submarine warfare craft INS Mangrol in Mumbai on October 12

Designed to detect and counter underwater threats in coastal and shallow waters, the ship is equipped with modern weapons and sensors. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Indian Navy will commission INS Mangrol, the third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on October 12.

Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, will preside over the commissioning ceremony. Senior naval and defence officials, representatives from the Ministry of Defence and CSL, veterans, and representatives of indigenous weapon and sensor manufacturers are expected to attend the event.

Named after Mangrol, a coastal town and prominent fishing harbour in Gujarat's Junagadh district, the ship carries forward the legacy of the erstwhile INS Mangrol (M85), a minesweeper that served in the Indian Navy until April 7, 2004. The naming continues the Navy's tradition of preserving the legacy of its former warships.

Built with more than 80 per cent indigenous content

Built with more than 80 per cent indigenous content, INS Mangrol reflects India's capabilities in warship design, construction and the integration of advanced weapons and sensors. Constructed by CSL under the Centre's Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, the vessel is part of efforts to strengthen self-reliance in defence shipbuilding.

Designed to detect and counter underwater threats in coastal and shallow waters, the ship is equipped with modern weapons and sensors, including the Abhay hull-mounted sonar, lightweight torpedoes, an indigenous anti-submarine rocket launcher and the Mareech Advanced Torpedo Decoy System.

Powered by three diesel engines with waterjet propulsion, INS Mangrol is designed for high manoeuvrability in shallow waters. It can also undertake underwater surveillance, low-intensity maritime operations and mine warfare-related tasks.

To strengthen coastal anti-submarine warfare

INS Mangrol is expected to strengthen the Navy's anti-submarine warfare capabilities, particularly in coastal waters where larger warships may face operational limitations. It can operate alongside maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters and other warships to detect and counter submarine threats.

Its induction will support efforts to protect ports, harbours and coastal approaches while contributing to wider fleet operations.

The commissioning comes amid evolving maritime security challenges and growing underwater threats. The vessel's induction will add to the Navy's capabilities in coastal operations while reflecting India's expanding indigenous warship-building capacity and its focus on operational preparedness and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.