Indian Navy Commissions Third Mahe-Class Craft

The Indian Navy commissioned INS Mangrol, its third Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, in Mumbai on October 12, adding a vessel designed for operations in coastal and shallow waters. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi, INS Mangrol has more than 80% indigenous content, according to reports on the vessel. The ship is intended to help protect ports, harbours and coastal approaches, where larger warships may face limits in shallow or confined waters. Its equipment includes Abhay hull-mounted sonar, lightweight torpedoes, an indigenous anti-submarine rocket launcher and the Maareech Advanced Torpedo Decoy System. The systems are designed to detect and track underwater threats, engage submarines and provide a countermeasure against torpedoes. The reports describe intended capabilities, not operational performance after commissioning. The vessel is powered by three diesel engines and uses waterjet propulsion, a configuration described as suited to manoeuvring in shallow waters. In addition to anti-submarine warfare, it is designed for underwater surveillance, low-intensity maritime operations and mine warfare tasks.