Indian Navy
India strengthens naval power: Cochin Shipyard launches 7th ASW vessel 'Machilipatnam'
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) on Wednesday marked another significant milestone in its shipbuilding programme with the launch of 'Machilipatnam', the seventh Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) in a series of eight vessels being built for the Indian Navy.
The vessel was launched by Goolrukh Anand in the presence of Vice Admiral Atul Anand, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, who attended the ceremony as the chief guest.
The event was also attended by Jose VJ, Chairman and Managing Director, Cochin Shipyard Limited; Harikrishnan S, Director (Operations); Rajesh Gopalakrishnan, Director (Technical), CSL; Rear Admiral Deepak Singhal, VSM, Chief Staff Officer (Training), Headquarters Southern Naval Command; C. Pandi Selva Durai, IOFS, Chief Vigilance Officer, CSL; Commodore Anup Menon, Warship Production Superintendent (Kochi); along with senior officials from the Southern Naval Command, Integrated Headquarters of the Ministry of Defence (Navy), and representatives of the classification society.
The launch of the seventh vessel highlights the steady progress of the prestigious shipbuilding programme and reflects the close collaboration between Cochin Shipyard Limited and the Indian Navy to strengthen India's maritime defence capabilities.
CSL said the vessel has been built with a strong emphasis on quality, safety and timely execution, reaffirming the shipyard's commitment to supporting the Government of India's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and advancing indigenous naval shipbuilding capabilities.
The ASW Shallow Water Craft is designed to carry out anti-submarine warfare operations in coastal waters, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO), mine-laying missions and subsurface surveillance.
The vessel, designated Yard 529, has been named 'Machilipatnam' after the historic port city in Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district on India's east coast.
Measuring 78 metres in length and 11.36 metres in width, with a draught of about 2.7 metres, the vessel has a displacement of approximately 900 tonnes. It is capable of achieving a maximum speed of 25 knots and has an operational endurance of 1,800 nautical miles.
The ships are equipped to integrate indigenously developed Hull Mounted Sonar and Low Frequency Variable Depth Sonar systems for advanced underwater surveillance, in line with the Government's push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
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