New Delhi, October 13, 2026: The Indian Navy has commissioned INS Mangrol, an indigenously built warship designed to detect, track and counter enemy submarines in shallow coastal waters. The vessel was commissioned at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on October 12 and is expected to strengthen the Navy’s ability to respond to underwater threats near India’s coastline.
INS Mangrol (P82) is the third Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), designed and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kochi. According to the Ministry of Defence, the vessel has more than 80% indigenous content, reflecting India’s growing capability to build specialised warships and integrate advanced naval systems domestically.
Unlike larger warships, which may face operational limitations in shallow waters, INS Mangrol is specifically designed to operate in coastal areas where underwater threats can be difficult to detect and counter. Its induction is intended to strengthen surveillance and anti-submarine operations near India’s coastal approaches.
The warship is equipped with the Abhay Hull-Mounted Sonar, which uses sound waves to detect underwater targets. Its weapons and defensive systems 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.
INS Mangrol can also undertake underwater surveillance, low-intensity maritime operations and mine warfare-related tasks. These capabilities enable the vessel to support a range of maritime security missions, including monitoring underwater activity and responding to threats in coastal waters.
Powered by three diesel engines driving waterjet propulsion units, the warship is designed for high manoeuvrability and rapid response. According to the ministry, the propulsion system enables the vessel to operate effectively in shallow and confined waters, where larger conventional warships may face restrictions.
The commissioning ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command. Senior officers of the defence forces, representatives of the Ministry of Defence, Cochin Shipyard Limited and industry partners attended the event.
Addressing the gathering, Vatsayan highlighted the importance of indigenous warships in strengthening maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. He also emphasised the growing capabilities of India’s domestic shipbuilding industry and the Navy’s focus on technological advancement, operational preparedness and self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
The Ministry of Defence said the construction of INS Mangrol involved contributions from Indian defence manufacturers and micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). With more than 80% of its content sourced domestically, the vessel supports the government’s Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives.
The warship takes its name from Mangrol, 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 2004.
According to the ministry, INS Mangrol is expected to strengthen the Navy’s ability to protect coastal approaches, conduct maritime surveillance and counter underwater threats. Its commissioning adds another domestically built anti-submarine warfare vessel to the fleet as India continues to expand its indigenous warship construction capabilities.
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