NEW DELHI, India — The Indian Navy has received ‘Mangrol’, the third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, marking another step in the country’s indigenous naval shipbuilding programme. The vessel was delivered to the Indian Navy on August 21, 2026, according to the Ministry of Defence.
- Key Highlights:
- ‘Mangrol’ is the third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft built by CSL, Kochi.
- The vessel has more than 80% indigenous content.
- It is designed for underwater surveillance, Anti-Submarine Warfare and mine warfare operations in coastal waters.
- The craft is equipped with torpedoes, Anti-Submarine rockets, advanced radars and sonars.
Indian Navy receives third ASW Shallow Water Craft
The delivery of ‘Mangrol’ adds another specialised vessel to the Indian Navy’s fleet of platforms designed for operations in coastal waters. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi, the craft has been developed with more than 80% indigenous content.
The vessel has been equipped for a range of maritime security and warfare roles. Its primary capabilities include underwater surveillance and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) operations in coastal waters.
In addition to its ASW role, ‘Mangrol’ is designed to undertake Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and mine warfare capabilities. These functions give the vessel a range of operational roles in the coastal maritime environment.
Advanced weapons and surveillance systems
‘Mangrol’ uses waterjets for propulsion and is fitted with modern systems intended to support its operational missions. The Ministry of Defence said the craft is equipped with state-of-the-art torpedoes and Anti-Submarine rockets.
The vessel also carries advanced radar and sonar systems. These systems form part of its underwater surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities, allowing the craft to perform specialised maritime operations in coastal waters.
The combination of propulsion, underwater detection systems and anti-submarine weapons reflects the vessel’s specific role as an Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft.
More than 80% indigenous content
A key feature of ‘Mangrol’ is its more than 80% indigenous content. The delivery therefore represents another milestone in the Indian Navy’s effort to strengthen indigenous shipbuilding and defence manufacturing capabilities.
The Ministry of Defence described the vessel’s delivery as a reaffirmation of the government’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. The craft has been built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, contributing to the country’s domestic naval shipbuilding ecosystem.
The delivery also highlights the growing role of indigenous manufacturing in the development of specialised naval platforms. The vessel’s high indigenous content is part of that broader shipbuilding effort.
Why the vessel is named Mangrol
The name ‘Mangrol’ comes from the coastal town and minor port of Mangrol in Gujarat’s Junagadh district. The town is identified as a prominent harbour for the marine fishing industry.
The name also carries a connection with the Indian Navy’s earlier maritime history. The new vessel continues the legacy of the erstwhile INS Mangrol, an Indian Naval Minesweeper that remained in service until 2004.
By carrying the name of the former naval vessel, the new craft continues the tradition of preserving distinguished warship names within the Indian Navy.
Another milestone in indigenous naval shipbuilding
The delivery of ‘Mangrol’ is part of the Indian Navy’s continuing indigenous shipbuilding journey. The Ministry of Defence said the vessel demonstrates the increasing strength of India’s domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Its construction by CSL and its more than 80% indigenous content underline the role of Indian shipyards in producing specialised naval platforms. The craft combines coastal surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, low-intensity maritime operations and mine warfare capabilities in a single platform.
With its delivery on August 21, ‘Mangrol’ joins the Indian Navy as the third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi. The vessel’s induction adds to the country’s ongoing effort to develop naval capabilities through indigenous shipbuilding.
Praveen Yadav is the Founder and Content Creator of The Nation Bulletin, an independent digital news platform focused on delivering timely, reliable and meaningful news from India and around the world.
