🗞️ Why in News Within two days, the Indian Navy took delivery of two significant indigenous vessels: INS Malwan — the second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) from Cochin Shipyard Limited — and INS Sanshodhak — the fourth and final Survey Vessel (Large) from GRSE, completing a major programme.
INS Malwan — Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft
Background: ASW SWC Programme
Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Shallow Water Crafts are purpose-built vessels designed to detect, track, and neutralise submarines in littoral (coastal and shallow) waters — an increasingly important domain given the proliferation of conventional submarines across India’s neighbourhood.
In 2019, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) for eight ASW SWCs under the “Buy Indian (IDDM)” procurement category as part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence. The first vessel, INS Mahe, was delivered in 2025. INS Malwan is the second.
Key Features
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Builder | Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi |
| Classification | DNV rules |
| Indigenous Content | >80% by cost |
| Weapons | Torpedoes, multi-function ASW rockets |
| Sensors | Advanced radar, variable depth sonar, hull-mounted sonar |
| Missions | ASW, LIMO, mine warfare |
Significance
- LIMO (Low Intensity Maritime Operations): Patrolling Exclusive Economic Zones, anti-piracy, coastal surveillance — critical in an era of hybrid maritime threats
- Mine warfare capability: Given Pakistan Navy’s mine-laying history and China’s grey-zone tactics, this is strategically significant
- Naming significance: Malwan is a historic coastal town in Sindhudurg district, Maharashtra, closely associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s naval legacy and the Maratha Navy
INS Sanshodhak — Completing the SVL Programme
Background: Survey Vessel (Large) Programme
Accurate hydrographic charts are the foundation of naval operations — from submarine operations to fleet manoeuvres. India’s Survey Vessel (Large) programme, contracted with GRSE in October 2018, aimed to replace ageing survey ships with modern, highly capable platforms.
| Ship | Delivery |
|---|---|
| INS Sandhayak | February 2024 |
| INS Nirdeshak | December 2024 |
| INS Ikshak | November 2025 |
| INS Sanshodhak | March 2026 ✅ (Programme complete) |
Key Features
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Builder | Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata |
| Length | 110 metres |
| Displacement | ~3,400 tonnes |
| Indigenous Content | >80% |
| Design Authority | Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau |
| Key Equipment | Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), digital side-scan sonar, multi-beam echo sounder |
Missions
- Hydrographic surveys: Mapping seabed topography, water depths, underwater obstructions
- Oceanographic data collection: Temperature, salinity, current data critical for submarine operations
- Port/harbour approach surveys: Ensuring safe navigation in India’s ports and approaches
- Disaster relief support: Survey vessels can support post-disaster maritime assessment
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Name of the four SVL ships, builder (GRSE), indigenous content percentage, Warship Design Bureau.
Mains: India’s naval indigenisation under Aatmanirbhar Bharat — how dedicated indigenous production of support vessels (survey ships, training ships, auxiliary vessels) is as important as warship indigenisation. Blue water navy ambitions require a complete ecosystem — not just frigates and destroyers but the full support infrastructure.
📌 Facts Corner
ASW SWC Programme:
- Contract: 2019; Builder: Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL)
- Total: 8 ships; First: INS Mahe (2025); Second: INS Malwan (2026)
- Category: Buy Indian (IDDM) — Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured
SVL Programme:
- Contract: October 30, 2018; Builder: GRSE, Kolkata
- Four ships; programme completed March 2026
- INS Sandhayak (Feb 2024) → Nirdeshak (Dec 2024) → Ikshak (Nov 2025) → Sanshodhak (Mar 2026)
Warship Design Bureau (WDB):
- Indian Navy’s in-house design organisation
- Has designed destroyers (Project 15B), frigates (Project 17A), corvettes, and survey vessels
GRSE:
- Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers; Kolkata; a Defence PSU under MoD
- Has built 107+ naval vessels; also makes Bailey bridges for the Army
CSL:
- Cochin Shipyard Limited; largest shipyard in India; also building India’s second aircraft carrier (INS Vishal study)
- Listed on NSE/BSE; 73% GoI stake
