**Summary:**
On May 29, 2025, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kochi held the keel laying ceremony for the eighth and final Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), designated BY 530. This event signifies significant progress in the shipbuilding project awarded to CSL by the Ministry of Defence on April 30, 2019. The eight ships, known as the Mahe class, feature over 80% indigenous content, aligning with the "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" and "Make in India" initiatives. Equipped with advanced indigenous underwater sensors, these vessels will enhance the Indian Navy's capabilities in anti-submarine warfare, low-intensity maritime operations, and mine laying. Delivery of the ships is scheduled between August 2025 and June 2028.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Defence: The government ministry responsible for defense matters; awarded the contract for building eight ASW SWC ships.
KEEL LAYING OF LAST SHIP BY 530 OF ASW SWC CSL PROJECT: The subject of the notification; refers to the keel laying ceremony of the last ship in the ASW SWC project being built by CSL.
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi - the source of the posted information.
AntiSubmarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft ASW SWC: A type of naval vessel; specifically, the class of ships being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited.
Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi: The shipyard responsible for building the ASW SWC ships.
VAdm Rajaram Swaminathan: A high-ranking officer (Vice Admiral) in attendance at the keel laying ceremony; holds the title CWPA.
Indian Navy: The naval force of India; recipient of the ASW SWC ships.
Government of India: The governing body of India; promotes initiatives like Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat: An initiative by the Government of India promoting self-reliance.
Make in India: An initiative by the Government of India to encourage domestic manufacturing.
Mahe class: The name given to the class of eight ASW SWC ships being built.
Underwater Sensors: State of the art equipment with which the Mahe class ships are equipped.
Low Intensity Maritime Operations LIMO: One of the intended uses of the Mahe class ships.
VMSPS Release ID: 2132735: A unique identifier assigned to the press release.
Ministry of Defence
KEEL LAYING OF LAST SHIP (BY 530) OF ASW
SWC (CSL) PROJECT
Posted On: 30 MAY 2025 4:45PM by PIB Delhi
Keel Laying of the eighth and last ship (BY 530), Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW
SWC), which is being built at Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi, was undertaken on 29 May 2025 in the
presence of VAdm Rajaram Swaminathan, CWP&A. Senior officials of the Indian Navy and CSL also
attended the ceremony. This milestone of ‘Keel Laying’ of the last ship, signifies steady progress in the vital
shipbuilding project, with all platforms at advanced stages of production. With over 80% indigenous
content, these ships exemplify the Government of India’s initiative of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in
India.
The contract for building eight ASW SWC ships was awarded to CSL, Kochi by the Ministry of Defence on
30 Apr 2019. These ships, known as the ‘Mahe’ class, are being equipped with indigenously developed state
of the art Underwater Sensors, and are envisaged to undertake Anti-Submarine operations as well as Low
Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and Mine Laying Operations.
The eight ships in this class are scheduled to be delivered to the Indian Navy between Aug 2025 and Jun
2028, and will further enhance the Indian Navy’s Anti-Submarine Warfare capabilities.
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VM/SPS
(Release ID: 2132735)