SOURCE: AFI
In a significant move to enhance its maritime security, India has revived a long-pending proposal for the indigenous construction of 12 specialized warships designed to detect, track, and destroy underwater mines. These mines, often laid by enemy forces to choke harbors, disrupt ports, and cripple shipping and maritime trade, pose a severe threat to India’s naval operations and economic lifelines. According to defense ministry sources, the procurement case for these 12 advanced Mine Countermeasure Vessels (MCMVs) for the Indian Navy, estimated at Rs 44,000 crore, is set to be presented soon before the Defence Acquisitions Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, for the grant of “Acceptance of Necessity” (AoN).
Following the AoN approval, the Ministry of Defence will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) through an “open tender” process, inviting Indian shipyards to submit their techno-commercial bids. This aligns with India’s push for self-reliance in defense manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, ensuring that the MCMVs are built domestically. However, sources caution that the timeline for delivery remains lengthy. “It will take at least 7-8 years, if not more, for the first MCMV to roll out after the contract is inked,” a defense ministry source revealed, highlighting the complexity of designing and constructing such specialized vessels.
The MCMVs, with a displacement of around 900-1,000 tonnes, are engineered to counter the growing threat of underwater mines in both coastal and deep-sea environments. These vessels will feature non-magnetic hulls to minimize their detectability by magnetic mines, a critical design element for safe operations in mine-laden waters. Equipped with high-definition sonars, acoustic and magnetic sweeps, the MCMVs will be capable of detecting marooned and drifting mines with precision.
Once a mine is identified, the vessels will deploy remote-controlled systems, such as small underwater vehicles, to detonate the mines at a safe distance, ensuring the safety of the crew and the ship. This advanced technology will enable the Indian Navy to clear minefields efficiently, safeguarding key maritime routes and protecting vital infrastructure like ports and harbors from sabotage.
The Indian Navy has long identified the need for advanced minesweepers, as its current fleet of mine countermeasure vessels is limited and aging. The new MCMVs will fill this critical gap, enhancing the Navy’s ability to secure India’s 7,500-kilometer coastline and over 2 million square kilometers of exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
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