Indian Navy Launches ASW Craft ‘Machilipatnam’ Built by Cochin Shipyard

Kochi, July 29 (TNT): The Indian Navy on Wednesday launched INS Machilipatnam, the seventh of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) being built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) under an indigenous shipbuilding programme.

The vessel was launched by Goolrukh Anand in the presence of Vice Admiral Atul Anand, Additional Secretary, Department of Military Affairs, at a ceremony attended by senior Indian Navy and CSL officials.

Named after the historic port city of Machilipatnam in Andhra Pradesh’s Krishna district, the warship reflects the city’s maritime heritage and trading legacy on India’s eastern coast.

The ASW Shallow Water Craft is designed for underwater surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, low-intensity maritime operations (LIMO) and mine warfare, and is expected to strengthen coastal defence and enhance maritime domain awareness.

The Navy said the launch marks another milestone in the execution of the ASW SWC project and reinforces the country’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence manufacturing.

With over 80 per cent indigenous content, the project highlights the growing capabilities of India’s shipbuilding industry and is expected to enhance the Navy’s operational readiness in safeguarding the country’s maritime interests in the Indian Ocean Region.

TNT KS