India Launch Malpe and Mulki, Two Anti Submarine Warfare

Spread the love

Introduction: The Indian Navy has just commissioned two more vessels, Malpe and Mulki, being the fourth and fifth vessels out of a series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts. Commissioning at Cochin Shipyard Ltd., Kochi, marked a major leap toward the country’s aim to have its own dependency on defense manufacturing.

Table of Contents

Launch Details: Malpe and Mulki

Both the ships were launched ceremoniously by Mrs. Vijaya Srinivas, keeping in line with traditional maritime etiquette. Vice Admiral V Srinivas, the commander of the Southern Naval Command, attended this launch, very confidently in the strategic value of these vessels to police the southern Indian coastline.

Class and Role: Malpe and Mulki

The names are derived from key coastal ports in India; the Mahe class is a follow-on from Malpe and Mulki, earlier minesweepers. Commissioned, they will replace some of the older minesweepers in service and carry on the significant work of securing the country’s waters. These vessels form part of the larger scheme for modernization of the Indian Navy and enhanced capability against submarine threats.

The contract and development of Malpe and Mulki

The Ministry of Defence signed an agreement with Cochin Shipyard Ltd on 30 April 2019 to build eight of these ASW SWC ships. It is yet another boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative about the development of the country’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities in consonance with the country’s strategic vision for increasing indigenous manufacturing.

Overall Malpe and Mulki:

The ships have a state-of-the-art suite of technology designed and built indigenously by India. The ships are fitted out with the most advanced underwater sensors for submarine detection in contact. These ships are propelled against submarines operating especially in shallow coastal waters. Alongside ASW, these vessels can lay mines and undertake other low-intensity maritime operations.

With a speed of approximately 25 knots, they are capable of patrolling around 1,800 nautical miles on one refuel. Hence, the vessels would be capable of performing coastal defense tasks. Of particular note, all these vessels were constructed from over 80% materials and technology that were sourced from India, which further strengthened the commitment of the country to ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat‘, with the additional benefit of creating jobs and enhancing the domestic defense production capability.