‘Wagh Nakh’ on its crest, how submarine-hunter INS Malvan will help the Navy shield India's coast

📌 Summary:

• The Indian Navy commissioned INS Malvan, its second Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at Karwar, Karnataka
• It is the 2nd of 8 Mahe-class vessels built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) and the 6th of 16 ASW-SWCs being built by CSL and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata; more than 80% of its components are indigenous
• Role: detect and counter stealthy diesel-electric submarines in shallow littoral waters that larger warships cannot effectively pursue; low draught, advanced sonar and high manoeuvrability suit it to protect harbour approaches, sea lanes, offshore energy installations and naval bases
• With 16 vessels planned, the Navy will build a dedicated anti-submarine screen along the coast, freeing larger warships for blue-water operations; integrated with coastal radar, underwater sensors and maritime patrol aircraft for layered, indigenous ASW capability
• Symbolism: named after Malvan (Maharashtra), linked to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj; crest bears the ‘Bagh Nakha’ (Wagh Nakh/tiger claw); motto ‘Silent Claws’ signifies stealth and lethality

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 Internal Security — maritime and coastal security, protection of sea lines of communication, and defence indigenisation (Atmanirbhar Bharat).

📝 Prelims Facts:

• INS Mahe (first of class) was commissioned in November 2025
• Built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (Kochi) and GRSE (Kolkata); 16 ASW-SWCs planned in total
• Over 80% indigenous components; motto ‘Silent Claws’

🔑 Key Term: ASW-SWC — Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, a warship class designed for anti-submarine operations in the littoral (near-shore) zone.