New Delhi, 12 October (H.S.): The Indian Navy on Monday formally commissioned Mangrol, the third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, into its fleet. Commissioned at a ceremony held at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, the vessel will strengthen the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities, particularly in coastal waters where larger warships face operational constraints. Its induction is expected to enhance the Navy’s ability to protect ports, harbours and coastal approaches while also supporting major fleet operations.

The commissioning ceremony at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai was presided over by Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command. Senior naval and defence officials, representatives of the Ministry of Defence and Cochin Shipyard Limited, and representatives of Indian defence equipment manufacturers specialising in weapons and sensors attended the event.

Named after Mangrol, a coastal town and prominent fishing port in Gujarat’s Junagadh district, the vessel carries forward the legacy of the earlier INS Mangrol (M-85). The naming reflects the Indian Navy’s longstanding tradition of preserving the legacy of its former warships. The previous vessel served in the Indian Navy until April 7, 2004.

According to the Ministry of Defence, Mangrol has been built with more than 80 per cent indigenous content, highlighting India’s growing capabilities in warship design, construction and the integration of advanced weapons and sensors. Developed under the government’s Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, the vessel marks another significant step towards self-reliance in defence shipbuilding.

Designed to detect and counter underwater threats in coastal and shallow waters, Mangrol is equipped with modern weapons and sensor systems. These include the Abhay hull-mounted sonar, lightweight torpedoes, an indigenous anti-submarine rocket launcher and the Maareech Advanced Torpedo Defence System.

According to Cochin Shipyard Limited, INS Mangrol is equipped with advanced sonar, torpedoes and anti-submarine warfare rockets to detect and engage submarines in coastal waters. Powered by three diesel engines driving waterjet propulsion systems, the vessel offers high manoeuvrability, making it well suited for operations in shallow waters.

In addition to its primary anti-submarine warfare role, the vessel can undertake underwater surveillance, low-intensity maritime operations and mine-warfare-related tasks. It can also operate in coordination with maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters and other warships to detect and counter submarine threats.

At a time when underwater threats are becoming an increasingly significant concern amid an evolving maritime security environment, the commissioning of Mangrol marks an important milestone in strengthening the Indian Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar