INS Mangrol Strengthens India’s Naval Capabilities

Source: Indian Express
GS III: Indigenization of technology and development of defence capabilities

Why in the News?

The Indian Navy commissioned INS Mangrol, the third Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. The vessel will strengthen India’s coastal defence by improving its ability to detect and counter underwater threats in shallow and near-shore waters.

News in Brief

• INS Mangrol is the third of eight indigenously designed Mahe-class ASW-SWCs being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).
• These vessels are designed to detect, track and engage submarines operating in shallow coastal waters.
• The programme involves the construction of 16 ASW-SWCs by CSL and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
• With over 80% indigenous content, the programme supports India’s defence indigenisation and shipbuilding capabilities.

Features of INS Mangrol

• It belongs to the Mahe class, designed specifically for anti-submarine warfare in shallow waters.
• The vessel is approximately 78 metres long, with a maximum beam of 11:36 metres.
• It has a displacement ranging from 896 to 1,100 tonnes.
• It uses a diesel-engine waterjet propulsion system, improving maneuverability while reducing underwater noise.
• Indigenous sonar, weapons and communication systems enable the detection, tracking and engagement of underwater threats.
• Its armament includes torpedoes and multifunctional anti-submarine rockets.
• It can also undertake underwater surveillance, search and rescue ( SAR), Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and mine-laying.

Indigenous Design and Construction

• The Mahe-class vessels are being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) at Kochi.
• The programme also involves Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
• The vessels comply with the technical and safety standards of Det Norske Veritas (DNV), an internationally recognised classification society.
• The programme reflects India’s growing capacity to design and manufacture advanced naval platforms domestically.

Need for Shallow-Water Anti-Submarine Warfare

• India’s extensive coastline, numerous ports and islands create a need for specialized platforms to protect coastal waters.
• Submarines operating close to the shore can threaten ports, shipping lanes, offshore energy installations and naval bases.
• Shallow-water environments make submarine detection and tracking particularly challenging.
• Specialised shallow-water craft help address these challenges through advanced sensors, manoeuvrability and dedicated anti-submarine weapons.
• The Mahe-class vessels are designed to address this challenge through advanced sonar systems, high maneuverability and specialized weapons.

Replacing Older Vessels

• Before the ASW-SWC programme, the Navy relied on Abhay-class corvettes for coastal patrol and anti-submarine warfare.
• These vessels had served for decades and were decommissioned between 2017 and 2025.
• The Defence Acquisition Council approved the procurement of 16 ASW-SWCs in December 2013, at a cost of ₹13,000 crore.
• Contracts were subsequently awarded to CSL and GRSE to construct eight vessels each.

Mahe-Class Fleet

• The 16 ASW-SWCs are divided into two classes:
  • Arnala class: Built by GRSE. It includes INS Arnala, Androth, Anjadip, Amini, Abhay, Agray, Ajay and Akshay.
  • Mahe class: Built by CSL. It includes INS Mahe, Malvan, Mangrol, Malpe, Mulki, Magdala and Machilipatnam, along with the remaining vessel in the programme.
• The Mahe-class fleet is expected to be inducted progressively, strengthening the Navy’s dedicated coastal anti-submarine warfare capability.

Strategic Significance for India

• INS Mangrol strengthens India’s coastal security by improving the protection of its coastline, ports and coastal infrastructure.
• It enhances the Indian Navy’s ability to detect, track and engage submarines operating close to shore, helping safeguard shipping lanes, offshore energy installations and major naval bases.
• The vessel also strengthens India’s maritime security posture in the Indian Ocean Region by improving its response to underwater threats.
• Its indigenous construction supports domestic shipbuilding and defence indigenisation.
• By undertaking coastal anti-submarine operations, these specialised vessels allow larger warships to focus on deep-sea missions.
• Working alongside coastal radar networks, underwater sensors and maritime patrol aircraft, INS Mangrol contributes to a layered maritime surveillance and defence system.

UPSC Relevance

• GS Paper III – Defence: Indigenisation of technology and development of defence capabilities.
• GS Paper III – Internal Security: Maritime security and protection of critical infrastructure.
• GS Paper II – International Relations: India’s maritime security interests in the Indian Ocean Region.
• Prelims: Anti-submarine warfare, sonar technology, defence public-sector undertakings and naval platforms.

UPSC Prelims Practice Question

Consider the following statements about INS Mangrol:

1. It belongs to the Mahe class of Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft.
2. It is designed to strengthen India’s ability to detect and engage submarines in coastal waters.
3. The Mahe-class vessels are being constructed exclusively by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only

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