How submarine hunter Malvan will help shield India's coastline, Pg13

Key Highlights:

• The Indian Navy commissioned INS Malvan, its second Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), on Wednesday.
• INS Malvan is the second of eight Mahe-class vessels being built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL), Kochi.
• It is designed for anti-submarine and patrolling operations in the littoral zone, enhancing coastal security against underwater threats.
• The vessel's crest features the 'Bagh Nakha' (Wagh Nakh), symbolizing courage and agility, with its motto being 'Silent Claws'.
• The ASW-SWC fleet addresses a critical capability gap in detecting and countering stealthy diesel-electric submarines in shallow waters.

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Detailed Insights:

• INS Malvan is the sixth of 16 ASW-SWCs under construction by CSL and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
• The first ship in its class, INS Mahe, was commissioned in November of the previous year.
• The ship is named after the coastal town of Malvan in Maharashtra, known for its maritime heritage linked to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.
• Its low draught, advanced sonar systems, and high maneuverability are crucial for protecting harbor approaches and offshore installations.
• The Defence Acquisition Council approved the acquisition of 16 ASW-SWCs in December 2013, at a cost exceeding Rs 13,000 crore.
• These new vessels will replace the older Abhay-class corvettes, which are being decommissioned.
• The 16 ASW-SWCs are divided into the Arnala-class (built by GRSE) and the Mahe-class (built by CSL).

Key Concepts Involved:

• Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC): Specialized warships designed for detecting and neutralizing submarines in coastal, shallow waters.
• Littoral Zone: The part of a sea, lake, or river that is close to the shore, crucial for coastal defense and economic activities.
• Blue-water operations: Naval operations conducted in the open ocean, away from coastal areas, typically by larger warships.
• Draught: The vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of the hull (keel), indicating the minimum depth of water a vessel needs.