INS Mangrol is specifically engineered to operate seamlessly with naval helicopters, maritime patrol aircraft, and larger surface vessels to establish an integrated coastal sub-surface defence perimeter
KRC TIMES National Bureau
MUMBAI / NEW DELHI — In a major push toward indigenous defence self-reliance, the Indian Navy officially commissioned INS Mangrol, its third indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai.
The induction of the warship marks a significant upgrade to India’s littoral combat readiness, specifically addressing tactical underwater threats in coastal waters where deeper-draft frontline destroyers and frigates face operational constraints.
Key Capabilities and Specifications
- Builder & Indigenous Footprint: Constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kochi under the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ frameworks, the vessel boasts over 80% indigenous content.
- Dimensions & Maneuverability: Measuring 78 meters in length with an 11.36-meter beam and a 2.7-meter draft, the craft is powered by three diesel engines operating on high-thrust waterjet propulsion. It is capable of speeds up to 25 knots and provides an operational range of 1,800 nautical miles.
- Anti-Submarine Suite: The vessel integrates the DRDO-developed Abhay Hull-Mounted Sonar, Low Frequency Variable Depth Sonar (LFVDS), lightweight torpedo launch systems, and indigenous anti-submarine rocket launchers.
- Defensive & Surface Firepower: For self-defence and surface engagements, INS Mangrol carries a 30 mm Naval Surface Gun alongside two 12.7 mm Stabilised Remote Controlled Guns (SRCG), complemented by the indigenous Mareech Advanced Torpedo Decoy System.
Strategic Importance
While primary naval strike groups patrol the open high seas, littoral stretches, harbour choke points, and port approaches remain vulnerable to covert shallow-water incursions. INS Mangrol is specifically engineered to operate seamlessly with naval helicopters, maritime patrol aircraft, and larger surface vessels to establish an integrated coastal sub-surface defence perimeter. Beyond anti-submarine warfare, the ship is equipped for coastal mine-laying, low-intensity maritime operations (LIMO), and search-and-rescue support missions.
INS Mangrol carries forward the legacy of its namesake—an erstwhile Soviet-era minesweeper decommissioned in 2004—named after the historic fishing and maritime trade town of Mangrol in Junagadh, Gujarat.
