The Indian Navy on August 21 took delivery of Mangrol, the third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, marking another step in the Navy’s efforts to strengthen its indigenous underwater warfare and coastal surveillance capabilities.
The vessel has more than 80 per cent indigenous content and has been designed for a range of missions, including underwater surveillance, anti-submarine warfare in coastal waters, Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and mine warfare.
Propelled by waterjets, Mangrol is equipped with modern torpedoes and anti-submarine rockets, along with advanced radar and sonar systems. The vessel’s sensor and weapon suite is intended to provide the Navy with enhanced capabilities for detecting, tracking and engaging underwater threats in shallow and littoral waters.
The delivery further expands the Indian Navy’s fleet of indigenously built ASW shallow water craft and strengthens its ability to conduct specialised maritime security operations in coastal areas.
Mangrol has been named after the coastal town and minor port of Mangrol in Gujarat’s Junagadh district, an important harbour for the region’s marine fishing industry. The name also carries forward the legacy of the erstwhile INS Mangrol, an Indian Naval minesweeper that remained in service until 2004.
The continuation of the name reflects the Indian Navy’s tradition of preserving the legacy of distinguished warships while introducing new platforms with enhanced operational capabilities.
The delivery of Mangrol represents another milestone in India’s indigenous naval shipbuilding programme. With a high degree of indigenous content, the platform reflects the growing capabilities of India’s domestic defence industrial base and supports the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence manufacturing.
The induction of the ASW-SWC is expected to enhance the Indian Navy’s ability to undertake underwater surveillance and anti-submarine operations in the increasingly complex coastal and littoral maritime environment.
