Kochi: Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) has achieved another major milestone in India’s indigenous naval shipbuilding programme with the launch of the seventh Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) vessel, ‘Machilipatnam’, being constructed for the Indian Navy.
The vessel is the seventh of a series of eight ASW vessels being built by CSL for the Indian Navy. The launch marks steady progress in the prestigious shipbuilding programme and highlights the growing collaboration between CSL and the Indian Navy to strengthen India’s maritime security and indigenous defence capabilities.
Seventh ASW Vessel ‘Machilipatnam’ Launched
The seventh ASW vessel was launched at Cochin Shipyard in the presence of senior officials from the Indian Navy, Southern Naval Command and CSL.
The launch ceremony was conducted by Smt Goolrukh Anand and was graced by Vice Admiral Atul Anand, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, as the Chief Guest.
The event was attended by several senior officials, including:
- Jose VJ, Chairman and Managing Director, Cochin Shipyard Limited.
- Dr. Harikrishnan S, Director (Operations), CSL.
- Rajesh Gopalakrishnan, Director (Technical), CSL.
- Rear Admiral Deepak Singhal, VSM, CSO (Training), HQSNC.
- Dr. C Pandi Selva Durai, IOFS, Chief Vigilance Officer, CSL.
- Senior officials from the Southern Naval Command and IHQ MoD (Navy).
- Cmde Anup Menon, WPS (Kochi).
- Representatives of the Classification Society.
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Vessel Strengthens India’s Anti-Submarine Warfare Capabilities
The ASW SWC vessels have been designed to undertake a range of maritime security and naval operations.
The key operational roles of these vessels include:
- Anti-submarine warfare operations in coastal waters.
- Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO).
- Mine-laying operations.
- Subsurface surveillance.
- Underwater surveillance using advanced sonar systems.
The vessels are intended to enhance the Indian Navy’s ability to monitor and respond to underwater threats, particularly in coastal and shallow-water environments.
‘Machilipatnam’ Named After Historic Andhra Pradesh Port City
The vessel, identified as Yard BY 529, has been named ‘Machilipatnam’ after the historic port city located along India’s eastern coast.
Machilipatnam is situated in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh and has a long association with India’s maritime history and trade.
The naming of the vessel reflects the Indian Navy’s tradition of associating warships with important geographical locations and maritime heritage.
Key Specifications of ‘Machilipatnam’
The newly launched ASW vessel has been designed with capabilities suited for coastal and shallow-water operations.
Its key specifications include:
- Length: 78.0 metres.
- Width: 11.36 metres.
- Draught: Approximately 2.7 metres.
- Displacement: Approximately 900 tonnes.
- Maximum Speed: 25 knots.
- Endurance: Approximately 1,800 nautical miles.
The vessel’s design and operational capabilities are aimed at providing the Indian Navy with an effective platform for underwater surveillance and anti-submarine operations.
Advanced Indigenous Sonar Systems to Support Underwater Surveillance
The ASW SWC vessels are designed to accommodate indigenously developed and built advanced sonar systems.
These include:
- Hull Mounted Sonar.
- Low Frequency Variable Depth Sonar.
These advanced systems will support underwater surveillance and help improve the vessel’s ability to detect and monitor underwater activity. The use of indigenous sonar technologies is aligned with the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and its focus on increasing self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
CSL and Indian Navy Strengthen Indigenous Shipbuilding Partnership
The launch of the seventh vessel demonstrates the steady progress of the ASW SWC programme and reflects the close partnership between Cochin Shipyard Limited and the Indian Navy.
The vessel is being constructed with a focus on:
- High-quality shipbuilding.
- Safety standards.
- Timely project execution.
- Indigenous defence technologies.
- Strengthening India’s maritime capabilities.
The project also supports the Government of India’s broader vision of achieving greater self-reliance in defence production and expanding India’s indigenous naval shipbuilding capabilities.
The launch of ‘Machilipatnam’ marks another important step in strengthening India’s maritime security infrastructure and enhancing the country’s ability to design and build advanced naval platforms domestically.
About Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL)
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) is one of India’s leading shipbuilding and ship repair companies. A public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, CSL builds and repairs commercial vessels, defence ships, and specialized marine assets. The company plays an important role in strengthening India’s maritime infrastructure and supporting the country’s shipbuilding capabilities.
