Indian Navy’s Malvan: Everything to Know About the New Anti-Submarine Warfare Ship

The Indian Navy is set to officially commission Malvan(P81). Malwan is a India’s latest indigenous Anti-Submarine Warefare Shallo water Craft (ASW-SWC) on July 22, 2026. 

The vessel represents India’s littoral warfare capabilities and its push towards self-reliance in defence. 

What is the Malvan?

Malvan is the second class vessel of the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warefare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC). It is built by the Cochin Shipyard Limited(CSL) Kochi. Developed under the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative.  

It will degined to replace the aging Abhay-class corvettes like INS Abhay (P33). 

Malvan inherits its name from erstwhile INS Malvan. A coastal minesweeper which served the Indian Navy from 1983 to 2003. Originally Malvan is named after the famous coastal town of sindhudurg district of maharashtra, India where historic Sindhudurg Fort is located. 

Key Features of the Malvan 

Malvan is a specialised for its substance surveillance, detection and neutalisation of enemy submarines in shallow waters. The vessel relies on agility and advance propulsion to safely navigation in the complex coastal regions. And other keyfeatures are

The Submarine is built with the high-tech armaments system and subsurface warefare. It has multiple layered offensive and defensive warfare.

It is equipped with a formward mounted RBU-699 anti-submarine rocket launcher, heavy mine-laying rails and two triple lightweight torpedo launcher. 

The submarine is feature with the surface guns. A main 30mm Naval Surafe Gun along with 12.7mm stabised Remote Controlled Guns (SRCG) for defence against surface and asymmetric low intensity threats.

It has state of the art sensors that is integrated with the indigenously developed DRDO Abhay. Abhay is a Hull-Mounted Sonar and alow Frequency Variable Depth Sonar (LFVDS).  All these systems help craft to process complex signals and accurately track stealth subsurface target. 

The Malvan is a indigenously built under anti-submarine craft under the India’s mission of  Aatmanirbhar Bharat. Malvan’s 80% content is indigenously developed.

Its major components, weapon systems and raw materials were sourced directly from somestic companies like Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Larsen and Toubro(L&T) and Mahindra Defence. 

What is the strategic importance of the Malvan? 

To secure the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) aming the rising geopolitical competition and tension. It is crucial for India’s vast coastline. Malvan has the capability to defend Indian ports, choke points and shallow littoral zones. 

Malvan can also coordinate with running Search and Attack Unit (SAU) missions along with the Indian Navy’s other craft. Malvan has very specific counter piracy, infiltration and coastal smuggling operations. 

The warship official commissioning ceremony of Malavan is on July 22, 2026. It will be presided over by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Sign. It emphasizes the joint service integration of India's defense forces.