INS Malvan Commissioned: India's New Submarine Hunter for Shallow Waters
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Security
Why in news
India has commissioned INS Malvan, the second Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, built under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission. This comes as China's underwater presence expands in the Indian Ocean, highlighting India's focus on indigenous defence and coastal security.
Background
The Mahe-class vessels are designed for anti-submarine warfare in shallow coastal waters. INS Malvan follows INS Mahe and INS Anjadip, part of a series of indigenously built warships to strengthen India's naval capabilities.
Key facts
INS Malvan is the second Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft.
Built almost entirely at home under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission.
Armed with RBU-6000 rocket launchers, DRDO torpedoes, and a German-Indian sonar suite.
Designed to hunt submarines in shallow coastal waters.
Commissioned to counter China's expanding underwater presence in the Indian Ocean.
Part of India's broader strategy to enhance undersea defence capabilities.
Prelims pointers
- INS Malvan: Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft
- Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission
- RBU-6000 rocket launcher
- DRDO torpedoes
- German-Indian sonar suite
- Indian Navy
- Indian Ocean
Mains angles
- Discuss the significance of indigenous defence manufacturing under Aatmanirbhar Bharat for India's maritime security.
- Critically examine India's anti-submarine warfare capabilities in the context of China's naval expansion in the Indian Ocean.
- Evaluate the role of shallow water craft in coastal defence and their strategic importance.