Indian Navy Unveils INS Malvan's Bagh Nakha Crest Ahead Of Commissioning; Indigenous ASW Warship To Join Fleet On July 22 | Video

Mumbai, July 18, 2026: The Indian Navy is poised to significantly bolster its littoral combat capabilities with the upcoming commissioning of INS Malvan at Karwar Naval Base on Wednesday. The warship's crest will feature the Waghnakh – the iconic weapon associated with Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

INS Malvan, inspired by the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Maharashtra's coastal region of Malvan, will be the second of the Mahe-class anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW-SWC). The warship will be formally inducted into service during a high-profile military ceremony at Karwar Naval Base on July 22 from 8.30 am to 11 am.

Tribute To Maritime Legacy

In a poignant tribute to India's rich maritime history, the vessel's official crest will feature the Waghnakh – the legendary tiger-claw weapon of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, widely regarded as the father of the modern Indian Navy.

The arrival of INS Malvan follows the successful induction of the class leader, INS Mahe, which was commissioned into the Western Naval Command at Mumbai's Naval Dockyard on November 24, 2025. The commissioning of the "silent hunter" marked the deployment of India's longest anti-submarine shallow watercraft designed to guard the critical western seafront.

Advanced Coastal Defence Platform

The Mahe-class is the product of a Rs 6,311 crore contract awarded by the Ministry of Defence to Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in 2018 to build eight advanced vessels. Measuring 78.8 metres in length, these shallow-water hunters are designed to replace the ageing Abhay-class corvettes, which have faced operational limitations regarding their acoustic signatures and legacy systems. The new class features a stealthier hull design, a highly efficient waterjet propulsion system driven by three main engines, each generating 4,000 kW, and an upgraded combat management suite.

Optimised to counter subsurface threats in coastal zones where larger warships face draft constraints, INS Malvan boasts an identical, formidable operational pedigree to her sister ship, capable of cruising at speeds exceeding 25 knots, high manoeuvrability, advanced sensors and weaponry, including lightweight torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, an active torpedo decoy system and a stabilised remote-control gun for surface defence.

Second Mahe-Class Induction

While the lead ship, INS Mahe, carries the heritage of the historic Malabar Coast with a crest featuring the flexible Urumi sword, INS Malvan will project its power under the symbol of the Waghnakh. The commissioning at Karwar this July will cement the second chapter of this critical asset class, providing the Western Naval Command with unprecedented littoral dominance.

To get details on exclusive and budget-friendly property deals in Mumbai & surrounding regions, do visit: https://budgetproperties.in/