Indian Navy Commissions Indigenous Warship 'Mangrol' in Mumbai
In a major enhancement to India's coastal defense and undersea warfare capabilities, the Indian Navy commissioned its third indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), 'Mangrol', during a ceremony in Mumbai on Monday, October 12, 2026. Presided over by Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, the induction represents a critical leap forward in indigenous naval architecture, with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) building the warship with more than 80 percent indigenous content under the Make in India defense framework. Against the backdrop of evolving maritime security dynamics and escalating sub-surface threats in the Indian Ocean Region, the commissioning of 'Mangrol' significantly elevates the Navy's tactical readiness to sanitize coastal zones, defend critical commercial harbors, and escort larger naval battle groups during forward fleet maneuvers.
Junagadh Port Connection: Reviving the Storied Legacy of INS Mangrol
The vessel draws its name from Mangrol, a prominent maritime and fishing port town in the Junagadh district of Gujarat, upholding the naval custom of christening combatants after coastal towns while preserving historical lineage. The new shallow-water craft carries forward the proud operational legacy of the erstwhile INS Mangrol (M85), an ocean minesweeper that served the Indian Navy with distinction before being formally decommissioned in April 2004. By reviving this historical identity, the newly commissioned warship blends naval tradition with modern littoral warfare capabilities, specifically customized to navigate narrow, shallow-depth coastal zones where heavy destroyers and frigates encounter operational and acoustic limitations.
Cutting-Edge Sonar, Torpedoes, and High-Speed Shallow Water Maneuverability
Designed to serve as a formidable hunter of hostile undersea vessels, 'Mangrol' is armed with an advanced sensor and weapon array, prominently featuring the indigenous Abhay hull-mounted sonar system, precision lightweight torpedoes, and rapid-fire anti-submarine rocket launchers. To shield itself against incoming enemy torpedo attacks, the vessel is integrated with the indigenously developed Maareech Advanced Torpedo Decoy System. The warship is propelled by three powerful marine diesel engines that deliver rapid operational speeds and maneuverability in shallow draft environments. Beyond its primary mandate of locating and neutralizing submarines in littoral pockets, 'Mangrol' is equipped to conduct long-range underwater surveillance, low-intensity maritime operations (LIMO), and mine warfare tasks along the country’s maritime frontiers.
