Karwar: The Indian Navy on Wednesday commissioned INS Malvan, an advanced Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at the Kadamba Naval Base in Karwar, marking another milestone in India's indigenous naval modernisation programme.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, who stressed the importance of greater integration among the Navy, Air Force and Army to address future security challenges. He said technology provides capability, but the professionalism, leadership and teamwork of sailors ultimately determine the effectiveness of a warship. He also underlined the need to accelerate indigenous research, production and technological development to maintain strategic relevance.
Air Chief Marshal Singh described the Project Seabird naval base at Karwar as a world-class maritime facility that plays a crucial role in India's coastal security architecture.
Commander Praveen Kumar Tiwari assumed charge as the first Commanding Officer of INS Malvan. The ceremony was attended by senior defence officials, including Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command; Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu; Rear Admiral Vikram Menon; and Josh V., Chairman and Managing Director of Cochin Shipyard Limited.
According to official information, INS Malvan is the first Indian Navy warship to be formally commissioned at the Project Seabird naval base in Karwar. Built by Cochin Shipyard Limited under India's indigenous shipbuilding programme, the vessel has been designed to detect, track and neutralise enemy submarines in both coastal and deeper waters.
The warship is approximately 80 metres long, displaces about 1,100 tonnes, and is equipped with advanced anti-submarine rockets, sophisticated sonar systems and modern radar technology, significantly enhancing the Navy's anti-submarine warfare capabilities.