Indian Navy Commissions Indigenous 'Silent Hunter' INS Mahe: Milestone in Maritime Defense and Military Synergy

The Indian Navy marked a significant milestone on Monday with the commissioning of INS Mahe, the inaugural vessel of the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at Mumbai's Naval Dockyard. Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, hosted the ceremony, which was notably presided over by Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi.

In an unprecedented development, this commissioning ceremony featured an army chief's presence, symbolizing growing inter-service cooperation within India's military establishment.

The event highlighted the Mahe-class vessels as a new generation of indigenous shallow-water combatants, characterized by their sleek design, swift capabilities, and distinctly Indian identity. With indigenous components exceeding 80% of the ship's construction, INS Mahe represents India's advancing expertise in warship design, construction, and systems integration.

During the ceremony, General Dwivedi emphasized the importance of military synergy, stating, "Today, I am reminded that the strength of armed forces lies in synergy. The sea, land, and the skies form a single continuum of national security. And together, the Army-Navy and Air Force form the trinity of India's strategic strength. In this age of multi-domain operations, our ability to act in concert from the depths of the ocean to the highest frontier will determine the security and influence of our republic."

The General further elaborated on the Indian Army's initiatives toward greater integration: "The Indian Army too has launched a series of initiatives and an overall umbrella of a decade of transformation in which jointness and integration is an important pillar, recognizing that modern conflicts will be multi-domain, hybrid and require united national strength."

Vice-Admiral Swaminathan acknowledged the Army Chief's participation as "a solid reflection of your thrust on jointness and synergy," underscoring the significance of the cross-service attendance.

This commissioning comes as India's proposed "theatre command" structure remains under discussion—a potential reorganization that would create integrated commands where all three military branches operate under unified leadership within specific geographical regions.

INS Mahe will serve as a 'Silent Hunter' operating from the Western Seaboard, embodying India's self-reliance initiatives while protecting the nation's maritime boundaries. The vessel's introduction is particularly timely given regional developments, including Pakistan's advancement of its Hangor-class submarine program in partnership with China, scheduled for induction in 2026 according to Pakistan's Naval Chief Admiral Naveed Ashraf.

The Mahe-class anti-submarine vessels are positioned to play a crucial role in countering such submarine capabilities, enhancing India's maritime defense posture in the region.