Defence
Indian Navy’s Sixth Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft ‘Magdala’ Launched At Cochin Shipyard
Launch of ASW craft Magdala
The sixth vessel in the Indian Navy’s series of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWC), BY 528 (Magdala), was launched on Saturday (18 October) at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).
In keeping with Naval tradition, the launch ceremony was carried out by Mrs Renu Rajaram in the presence of Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition, along with senior officials from the Navy and CSL.
Designed and built indigenously by Cochin Shipyard, the ASW SWC class is intended to strengthen the Navy’s capabilities in anti-submarine warfare, mine laying, and underwater surveillance.
The ships are powered by three diesel engine-driven waterjets and equipped with hull-mounted sonar, low-frequency variable depth sonar, and weapon systems such as torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, an NSG-30 gun, and 12.7 mm stabilised remote-controlled guns.
With an indigenous content exceeding 80 percent, the programme forms part of the Navy’s ongoing efforts to enhance domestic shipbuilding and reduce reliance on imported defence equipment.
