Indian Navy Commissions INS Mangrol Anti-Submarine Warfare Craft

The Indian Navy commissioned the INS Mangrol (P82) on Monday, October 12, 2026, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. The vessel is the third Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) and is specifically designed to detect and neutralize underwater threats in coastal and shallow waters where larger warships face operational limitations.

Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi with over 80 percent indigenous content, the ship is equipped with the Abhay Hull-Mounted Sonar, lightweight torpedoes, an indigenous anti-submarine rocket launcher, and the Maareech Advanced Torpedo Decoy System. The craft utilizes three diesel engines with waterjet propulsion, enabling it to perform underwater surveillance, mine warfare tasks, and low-intensity maritime operations.

Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, presided over the ceremony. He noted that the induction is significant given rising geopolitical tensions and a contested maritime environment. Commanding Officer U Sharan Kumar added that the ship will strengthen defenses against the increased deployment of foreign submarines in the Indian Ocean region.

The INS Mangrol is named after a coastal town in Gujarat and continues the legacy of a former minesweeper of the same name. This commissioning is part of a broader expansion; the navy has commissioned 10 ships in 2026 as it works toward a goal of over 170 platforms to protect coastal approaches and vital trade routes.