New Delhi, October 10, 2026: The Indian Navy is set to commission Mangrol, an indigenously built warship designed to detect and counter enemy submarines in shallow coastal waters, at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on October 12. Built with more than 80% indigenous content, the vessel is expected to strengthen the Navy’s ability to protect ports, harbours and coastal approaches from underwater threats.
Mangrol is the third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kochi. The commissioning ceremony will be presided over by Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, according to the Ministry of Defence.
Unlike larger warships, which can face operational limitations in shallow waters, Mangrol is specifically designed to detect and counter submarine threats near the coast. Its induction will strengthen the Navy’s capabilities in coastal anti-submarine operations.
The warship is equipped with the Abhay Hull-Mounted Sonar, a system that uses sound waves to detect underwater targets. Its weapons and defensive equipment include lightweight torpedoes, an indigenous anti-submarine rocket launcher and the Maareech Advanced Torpedo Decoy System, which is designed to help protect the vessel against incoming torpedoes.
Powered by three diesel engines and using waterjet propulsion, Mangrol is designed for high manoeuvrability in shallow waters. It can also undertake underwater surveillance, low-intensity maritime operations and mine warfare-related tasks.
According to the ministry, Mangrol can operate alongside maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters and other warships to detect and counter submarine threats. These capabilities are expected to enhance the Navy’s ability to safeguard ports, harbours and coastal approaches.
The vessel has been constructed under the government’s Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives, with more than 80% of its content sourced domestically. The ministry said the project reflects India’s growing capability to build specialised naval vessels and integrate advanced weapons and sensor systems.
Mangrol is named after a coastal town and prominent fishing harbour in Gujarat’s Junagadh district. It also carries forward the name of the former INS Mangrol (M85), a minesweeper that served the Indian Navy until April 7, 2004.
The commissioning ceremony is expected to be attended by senior naval and defence officials, representatives of the Ministry of Defence and Cochin Shipyard Limited, naval veterans and manufacturers of indigenous weapons and sensors.
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