Indian Navy unveils the crest of INS Malvan featuring Bagh Nakha used by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

The Indian Navy on Saturday unveiled the crest of INS Malvan, the second ship of the Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), ahead of its commissioning scheduled for 22 July 2026. The crest prominently features the formidable Bagh Nakha, a traditional claw-shaped weapon famously used by Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, symbolising courage, agility, and audacity.

Encirled by waves, the crest reflects the ship’s resolve to remain ever vigilant and strike silently in safeguarding India’s maritime frontiers. The motto “Silent Claws” aptly captures the vessel’s stealthy and lethal operational capabilities in shallow waters. The design draws inspiration from the historical significance of Malvan, a coastal region associated with the maritime prowess and strategic brilliance of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

The Maratha king had famously used the weapon to kill Bijapur sultan Afzal Khanm, when he thrust the metal tiger claws, called Bagh Nakha, in the body of the Islamic tyrant. The weapon used by Shivaji Maharaj is now owned by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, but it is currently on a tour of India for display. The Bagh Nakha was brought to India in July 2024 on a three-year loan.

INS Malvan is built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi, under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. With over 80 per cent indigenous content, the ship underscores India’s growing self-reliance in warship design, construction, and integration. Compact yet formidable, it is engineered for agility, precision, and endurance in littoral operations, making it well-suited for anti-submarine warfare in shallow waters.

The commissioning ceremony will be presided over by Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, in the presence of Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. Senior naval officers, representatives from CSL, veterans, and other distinguished guests are expected to attend the event.

The induction of INS Malvan marks another milestone in the Indian Navy’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its fleet with indigenous shallow-water combat vessels, enhancing maritime security along India’s coastline. The ship joins its sister vessels in bolstering the Navy’s capabilities to detect, track, and neutralise underwater threats effectively.⁠Aninews

This development comes as the Indian Navy also prepares to host Operation Southern Readiness 26-2 at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi from 20 to 23 July, a multinational training engagement in partnership with the Combined Maritime Forces.

Written by OpIndia Staff
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