Indian Navy lays keel of the first Anti-submarine Warfare Shallow Craft Corvette.

According to information published by the Indian government on September 1, 2022, the keel laying of the first warship (BY 523, Mahe) of Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Craft (ASW SWC) project under construction by CSL, Kochi, was undertaken by VAdm Kiran Deshmukh.
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Keel laying ceremony for the first ASW-SWC corvette (Picture source: Indian government)

Speaking on the occasion, VAdm Kiran Deshmukh, CWP&A, appreciated CSL efforts in achieving the milestone despite Covid constraints and resultant lockdowns.

He called it a noteworthy achievement by the shipyard and commended professionalism displayed by all. Further, he highlighted that construction of these vessels is a major boost for the ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’ and India’s ‘Make in India’ commitment.

The Chief Guest indicated that keel laying is a major milestone activity in the shipbuilding process and paves way for amalgamation of various blocks towards fully constructed ship.

CWP&A further added that these platforms will undertake sub-surface surveillance in coastal areas with the purpose of detecting and neutralizing underwater threats.

About the ASW-SWC corvette

The Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) corvettes, are a class anti-submarine warfare vessels currently being built for the Indian Navy, by Cochin Shipyard (CSL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).

They were conceived as a replacement to the ageing Abhay-class corvettes of the Indian Navy, and are designed to undertake anti-submarine warfare (ASW) duties – including subsurface surveillance in littoral-waters, search-and-attack unit (SAU) missions and coordinated anti-submarine warfare operations with naval aircraft.

They were also designed to provide secondary duties – including defense against intruding aircraft, minelaying and search-and-rescue (SAR).

Equipped with sophisticated sensors and ordnance, the vessels also possess the capabilities to interdict and destroy subsurface targets – primarily hostile submarines, within the vicinity of coastal waters.