The Indian Navy on Monday commissioned INS Mahe, the first ship of the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. The ceremony was hosted by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, and was presided over by General Upendra Dwivedi, the Chief of the Army Staff.

This event was historic because it marked the first time an Army Chief attended the commissioning of an Indian Naval Ship. The moment highlights the growing cooperation and unity between the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. During the ceremony, General Upendra Dwivedi spoke about the importance of teamwork among the three military services. He said that the strength of the armed forces comes from synergy and coordination.

He explained that the land, sea, and sky are connected parts of national security, and together the three forces form the backbone of India’s defence. He added that in modern times, wars involve multiple domains such as land, air, sea, cyber, and information, so working together is essential to protect the country.

General Dwivedi said the Indian Army has started several new initiatives under a long-term plan for transformation, where joint operations and integration are key pillars. He said the forces are working together across the country, from Ladakh to the Indian Ocean, and described recent joint operations like Op Sindoor as examples of strong cooperation. Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan thanked the Army Chief for attending the event and said his presence reflected the growing unity between the armed forces.

INS Mahe represents a new generation of indigenous Indian warships, designed for operations in shallow waters and specialised in anti-submarine warfare. The ship has over 80% indigenous content, showcasing India’s progress in building modern warships at home. The Navy describes INS Mahe as a “Silent Hunter” that will patrol and protect India’s maritime borders on the Western coast.

The induction of INS Mahe comes at a time when Pakistan is working on strengthening its naval force with the Hangor-class submarines, expected to join service in 2026 under the China-Pakistan partnership. As Pakistan expands its submarine fleet, India needs stronger anti-submarine capabilities, and the Mahe-class ships will play an important role in countering underwater threats.