Indian Navy Launches Two New Anti-Submarine Warfare Vessels

On 9th September 2024, the Indian Navy launched two new anti-submarine warfare shallow watercraft vessels at Cochin Shipyard, expanding its fleet with advanced capabilities.

Key Points

Dimensions and Performance: The new vessels, named INS Malpe and INS Mulki, are 78 meters long, 11.36 meters wide, and have a draught of 2.7 meters.
They can achieve speeds of up to 25 knots and have an endurance of 1,800 nautical miles. Each vessel has a displacement of approximately 900 tons.
Design Features: These ships are equipped with indigenously developed sonar systems for underwater surveillance and are designed to enhance anti-submarine operations in coastal areas.
Contract Details: The design and construction contract for these ships was finalized in April 2019 between the Ministry of Defence and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).
Armament: The vessels are equipped with light-weight torpedoes, anti-submarine warfare (ASW) rockets, mines, a close-in weapon system with a 30mm gun, and 12.7mm stabilised remote-control guns.
Role and Replacement: They are intended to replace the existing Abhay-class ASW Corvettes and are designed for various roles including anti-submarine operations, mine-laying, and search and rescue missions.