The Indian Navy is commissioning the third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) 'Mangrol' on October 12, 2026, at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. The ceremony will be presided over by VAdm Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, with attendance from senior naval and defence officials, Ministry of Defence representatives, and Cochin Shipyard Limited executives.
Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited with over 80% indigenous content, Mangrol represents significant progress in India's warship design and construction capabilities under the Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. The ship is named after the coastal town of Mangrol in Gujarat's Junagadh district, continuing the Navy's tradition of preserving the legacy of former warships, specifically the erstwhile INS Mangrol (M85) minesweeper that served until April 7, 2004.
The vessel is specifically designed for detecting and countering underwater threats in coastal and shallow waters, equipped with advanced indigenous weapons and sensors including the Abhay Hull-Mounted Sonar, lightweight torpedoes, an indigenous anti-submarine rocket launcher, and the Maareech Advanced Torpedo Decoy System. Powered by three diesel engines with waterjet propulsion, the ship offers high manoeuvrability for shallow water operations and can undertake underwater surveillance, Low-Intensity Maritime Operations, and mine warfare tasks.
Mangrol's induction strengthens the Indian Navy's anti-submarine warfare capabilities in coastal waters where larger warships face operational limitations. The ship can operate alongside maritime patrol aircraft, helicopters, and other warships to detect and counter submarine threats, enhancing the Navy's ability to protect ports, harbours, and coastal approaches while supporting wider fleet operations. This commissioning marks an important milestone in strengthening India's maritime security capabilities amid growing underwater threats in the evolving security environment.