Indian Navy received ‘Malwan’, the second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), indigenously designed and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited at Kochi. The induction marks a significant step towards self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat” initiative. As part of a series of eight such vessels, Malwan is designed to strengthen India’s coastal defence capabilities and replace the Navy’s aging fleet with advanced, indigenously built platforms.
About Malwan
Malwan is a high-tech, waterjet-propelled warship specifically designed for anti-submarine operations in shallow and coastal waters.
- It is the second vessel in a series of eight ASW SWCs being inducted by the Indian Navy
- Designed for specialised naval operations in littoral (near-shore) zones
Development and Specifications
- Manufacturer: Cochin Shipyard Limited
- Built as per Indian Navy requirements
- Complies with DNV (Det Norske Veritas) classification standards
- Length: 78 metres
- Propulsion: Diesel Engine- Waterjet Propulsion system (largest of its kind in Indian Navy)
- Indigenous content: ~90%
Origin and Legacy
- Named after Malwan, a coastal town in Maharashtra
- Linked to the maritime legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj
- Continues the legacy of INS Malwan, a minesweeper decommissioned in 2003
Objectives
The primary aim of Malwan is to enhance the Navy’s capability in:
- Underwater surveillance
- Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) in shallow waters
- Coastal security and defence operations
Key Features
Multi-Role Capabilities
- Underwater surveillance
- Search and Rescue (SAR) operations
- Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO)
- Mine-laying capabilities
Advanced Combat Systems
- Equipped with lightweight torpedoes
- Indigenous ASW rockets
- Advanced shallow water sonar systems