How INS Mangrol Plugs Gaps In Anti-Submarine Operations, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• INS Mangrol, the third Mahe-class ASW Shallow-Water Craft (SWC), was commissioned by the Indian Navy on October 12, 2026, at Mumbai's Naval Dockyard.
• The vessel significantly boosts India's coastal defence and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capabilities, particularly in shallow and near-shore maritime zones.
• It is part of a larger project to build 16 ASW-SWCs, with eight each being constructed by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).
• The Mahe-class vessels feature over 80% indigenous content, aligning with India's self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
• The procurement of these 16 ASW-SWCs was approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in December 2013 at a cost of approximately ₹13,000 crore.

INS Mangrol.jpg

Detailed Insights:

• The Mahe-class vessels are designed for multi-role operations including anti-submarine warfare, underwater surveillance, search and rescue, and mine-laying in coastal waters.
• They are the Indian Navy's largest warships to utilize a diesel engine-waterjet propulsion system, enhancing manoeuvrability and reducing underwater noise.
• Equipped with indigenously developed sonar systems, advanced sensors, and communication suites, they can effectively detect, track, and engage underwater threats.
• This new fleet replaces the aging Abhay-class corvettes, which were decommissioned between 2017 and 2025 after decades of service.
• CSL is building the Mahe-class vessels, while GRSE is constructing the Arnala-class, with the lead ship INS Arnala commissioned in June 2025.
• These shallow-draught vessels are crucial for safeguarding harbour approaches, shipping lanes, and offshore energy installations from stealthy diesel-electric submarines.
• Their induction allows larger warships to focus on missions in deeper waters, thereby strengthening India's maritime security posture in the Indian Ocean Region.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW): A branch of naval warfare focused on detecting, tracking, and destroying enemy submarines.
• Littoral Zone: The shallow and near-shore maritime area, strategically and economically critical for coastal nations.
• Indigenous Content: The percentage of components, materials, and services for a product sourced from within the country.
• Defence Acquisition Council (DAC): India's highest decision-making body for defence procurement, chaired by the Defence Minister.