The Indian Navy has formally inducted INS Mangrol, the third Anti Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft built by Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi. The commissioning ceremony took place at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, marking a significant development in India’s efforts to strengthen its maritime defence capabilities and tackle underwater threats in coastal waters.

The event was led by Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief of the Western Naval Command. Addressing the gathering, he highlighted that more than 80 per cent of the vessel’s components are indigenous. He said the ship reflects India’s growing engineering expertise, technological development and commitment to building defence equipment within the country.

Speaking about the Navy’s modernisation plans, Vice Admiral Vatsayan stated that ten ships had been commissioned in 2026, while eight more were expected to enter service soon. He also noted that by 2034, approximately 60 per cent of the Navy’s platforms were expected to have an average age of less than ten years.

INS Mangrol takes its name from the coastal town of Mangrol in Gujarat’s Junagadh district, which is known for its fishing harbour. The vessel also carries forward the name of an earlier INS Mangrol, a minesweeper that served the Indian Navy until April 7, 2004. The newly commissioned craft has been designed to address the changing requirements of maritime security.

The vessel is equipped to identify and respond to submarine threats in shallow and coastal waters. Its advanced equipment includes the Abhay hull mounted sonar, lightweight torpedoes, an indigenously developed anti submarine rocket launcher and the Mareech Advanced Torpedo Decoy System. These systems are intended to strengthen its underwater surveillance and anti submarine warfare capabilities.