INS Mangrol has been formally delivered to the Indian Navy by Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi, marking another significant milestone in India’s indigenous warship construction program.

The vessel is an Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, designed to operate effectively in coastal waters with a focus on underwater surveillance, mine warfare, and low-intensity maritime operations.

According to the Ministry of Defence, INS Mangrol comprises more than 80 percent indigenous content, reflecting India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The ship is propelled by advanced waterjet technology, which enhances manoeuvrability in shallow waters.

It is armed with lightweight torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, and fitted with modern radars and sonar systems, enabling it to detect and neutralise hostile submarines in littoral zones.

The vessel derives its name from the historic coastal town and minor port of Mangrol in Gujarat’s Junagadh district. This naming continues the legacy of the erstwhile INS Mangrol, a naval minesweeper that served the Indian Navy until 2004. The new ship thus embodies both tradition and modernity, combining heritage with cutting-edge technology.

The delivery of INS Mangrol represents another step in India’s push to expand domestic warship building capacity under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. By reducing reliance on foreign suppliers and integrating indigenous systems, the Navy strengthens its operational independence and ensures critical technologies remain under national control.

The project also highlights the contributions of India’s defence ecosystem, including Start-Ups, MSMEs, and established industry players.

With its advanced capabilities, INS Mangrol will play a crucial role in enhancing India’s layered maritime defence strategy. It complements larger fleet units by providing specialised shallow-water anti-submarine warfare capabilities, while also being versatile enough for mine warfare, surveillance, and low-intensity missions.

Its induction is expected to significantly boost India’s coastal security posture in the Indian Ocean Region.

Agencies