The Indian Navy has commissioned INS Mangrol, the third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) constructed by Cochin Shipyard at Kochi. The indigenous warship entered service at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, strengthening the Navy’s ability to detect and counter submarine threats in coastal and shallow waters.

The commissioning ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command. The vessel has more than 80 per cent indigenous content, reflecting India’s capabilities in naval engineering, shipbuilding and defence technology.

The induction forms part of the Navy’s wider fleet expansion. Ten ships have been commissioned in 2026, while another eight are expected to enter service soon. The Navy has also indicated that around 60 per cent of its platforms could have an average age of less than ten years by 2034, supporting the planned modernisation of its operational fleet.

INS Mangrol is named after the coastal town of Mangrol in Gujarat’s Junagadh district, which is also a prominent fishing harbour. The vessel carries forward the name of an earlier INS Mangrol, a minesweeper that served the Indian Navy until 7 April 2004. Its commissioning renews that association while adding a modern platform for maritime security duties.

The craft has been designed for operations in coastal and shallow waters, where underwater detection can be challenging. Its equipment includes the Abhay hull-mounted sonar, lightweight torpedoes, an indigenous anti-submarine rocket launcher and the Mareech Advanced Torpedo Decoy System. Together, these systems provide the vessel with capabilities for detecting, tracking and responding to underwater threats in near-shore areas.