MALWAN- the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft

Malwan is a second Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) built by Cochin Shipyard Limited(CSL), delivered to the Indian Navy. Malwan is designed to replace the aging Abhay-class corvettes. Malwan is built with over 80% indigenous content, as a power house of coastal defence, equipped for underwater surveillance and sub-surface warfare.

MALWAN- the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft

The ship name MALWAN is named after the coastal town of Malvan in Maharashtra which is associated with the maritime legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. 

The delivery of the Malwan after the anti-submarine warefare Arnala marks a pivotal step in the Indian maritime system by modernizing the Indian Navy equipment under the Make in India mission. Malwan is the Indian Navy's answer to this threat, combining agility with lethal underwater detection and strike capabilities.

Key Features of the Malwan

The Malwan is a sophisticated combatant equipped with high-tech sensors and weaponry. Here are key features craft:

• Dimensions & Propulsion: The ship measures approximately 80 meters in length and displacement of 1,100 tons.

• It is powered by advanced Waterjets for high maneuverability and speed which is  essential for shallow-water operations where traditional propellers might be less effective.

• Advanced ASW Capabilities: Malwan is designed for Anti-Submarine Warfare.

• It features state-of-the-art hull-mounted sonars and low-frequency variable depth sonars (VDS) to track silent threats beneath the waves.

• Lethal Armament: The craft is armed with torpedoes and multifunctional anti-submarine rockets to neutralize threats once detected. 

• It also possesses mine-laying capabilities.

• Multi-Role Versatility: Low-Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and underwater surveillance for coastal patrolling and search-and-rescue missions.

Malwan highlighted India’s growing defense manufacturing ecosystem under Aatmanirbhar Bharat(self-reliance) by including more than 80% of indigenous content. Many of its critical systems were developed and integrated by Indian Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), showcasing a collaborative national effort.

The delivery of Malwan is a testament to the synergy between the Indian Navy and the domestic shipbuilding industry by replacing older platforms with indigenously designed, tech-heavy vessels like the ASW SWC class, India is ensuring that its "Blue Frontier" remains secure. 

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