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Machilipatnam, seventh Mahe-class ASW shallow water craft, launched

2 min readNavy & Aircraft
Battle IAS current affairs title card: Machilipatnam, seventh Mahe-class ASW shallow water craft, launched (GS3 · Defence, 29 July 2026)
Battle Brief

Machilipatnam (BY 529), the seventh of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) being built by Cochin Shipyard Limited for the Indian Navy, was launched on 29 July 2026, the Defence Ministry said. It is equipped for underwater surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, low intensity maritime operations and mine warfare. Indigenous content exceeds 80 per cent.

Fact File

Launched
29 Jul 2026, Cochin Shipyard Limited
Ship
Machilipatnam (BY 529)
Project
seventh of eight ASW Shallow Water Craft
Roles
underwater surveillance, ASW, LIMO, mine warfare
Indigenous content
over 80 per cent
Named after
historic port city in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh
In the news

The ASW shallow water craft Machilipatnam: what happened?

The Navy is getting eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft from Cochin Shipyard. Machilipatnam is the seventh to be launched. As the name says, these craft are meant for anti-submarine work in shallow waters, along with surveillance and mine warfare.

  • The ship should strengthen coastal defence and Maritime Domain Awareness.
  • It is named after Machilipatnam, a port known for its maritime trade on the eastern seaboard.
  • The project is part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence shipbuilding.
Back Story

What does the name recall?

  • Machilipatnam is a historic port city in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh.
  • It is known for its maritime legacy and its trade along India’s eastern seaboard.
Why examiners care

Why does the ASW shallow water craft Machilipatnam matter?

  • Defence: Adds coastal anti-submarine capability.
  • Industry: Over 80% indigenous content.
Exam Radar

What can Prelims ask on the ASW shallow water craft Machilipatnam?

  • Machilipatnam: seventh of eight ASW SWC; Cochin Shipyard.
  • Roles: ASW, underwater surveillance, LIMO, mine warfare.
  • Machilipatnam: Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh.

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Security; indigenisation of technology

  1. As per PIB (2026-07-29): machilipatnam, seventh of eight ASW-SWCs built by Cochin Shipyard, was launched on 29 Jul 2026.
  2. Each launch shows the indigenous shipbuilding pipeline moving.
Quotable data point

Machilipatnam, seventh of eight ASW-SWCs built by Cochin Shipyard, was launched on 29 Jul 2026.

PIB: Defence: Machilipatnam launched, 29 Jul 2026

Exam angle

UPSC

Prelims: ships in news.

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

The ASW Shallow Water Craft "Machilipatnam" was built by

Answer (c) & explanation

PIB (Defence), 29 Jul 2026.

Quick questions

Questions students ask about this

What is Machilipatnam?

The seventh of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft built by Cochin Shipyard Limited for the Indian Navy, launched on 29 July 2026.

What can it do?

Underwater surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, low intensity maritime operations and mine warfare.

How indigenous is the project?

Indigenous content exceeds 80 per cent.

Keep studying

Official source: PIB: Defence: Machilipatnam launched, 29 Jul 2026

facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending