New Delhi, November 17
The Indian Navy has unveiled the crest of Mahe, the first ship of the indigenously designed and built Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), ahead of its upcoming commissioning in Mumbai. This marks an important milestone in the ship’s journey from design to induction, celebrating India’s growing self-reliance in naval shipbuilding and the symbolic identity that binds the ship’s heritage, design, and operational role.
Named after the coastal town of Mahe on India’s western seaboard, the ship reflects India’s enduring maritime traditions and coastal spirit. The ship’s crest draws inspiration from the cultural and martial legacy of the region, depicting an ‘Urumi’ – the flexible sword associated with Kalarippayattu and a symbol of Kerala’s martial heritage, rising from the sea. The Urumi signifies agility, precision, and lethal grace, reflecting the ship’s ability to operate swiftly and strike decisively in the littorals, while the waves represent India’s vast maritime domain and the Navy’s perpetual readiness to safeguard it.
The ship’s motto, “Silent Hunters,” embodies stealth, vigilance and unwavering resolve – qualities that define anti-submarine warfare ethos. The crest symbolises the confluence of India’s cultural heritage and technological prowess, marking yet another step in the Indian Navy’s commitment to indigenisation, innovation, and Aatmanirbharta.
