Indian defence major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has entered in a strategic collaboration with France-based Exail to deliver an advanced unmanned mine warfare suite for the Indian Navy’s Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCMVs) program.
In a press release, L&T stated:
L&T and Exail will together provide the Indian Navy with a state-of-the-art Unmanned MCM Suit, incorporating autonomous and remotely operated systems designed to detect, classify, identify and neutralise naval mines in a safe, stand-off manner. L&T, as the prime contractor, will offer the Unmanned MCM Suite to all shipyards participating in Indian Navy’s upcoming program for 12 Mine Counter Measure Vessels. Exail will serve as the technology partner. The partnership will enable the delivery of Exail’s globally proven MCM technologies, already in operation with several navies worldwide and validated through extensive real-world deployments.
India’s MoD had released a Request For Information (RFI) for procuring 12 MCMVs in 2023. In July 2025, the Defence Acquisition Council headed by the defence minister accorded approval for the MCMV project, which will be worth ₹45,000 crores (about $ 5 billion). However, the next step in the project is yet to be achieved. The Indian Navy currently lacks a dedicated MCM vessel after multiple attempts to procure such ships, including via leasing, failed. The prominent threat of Iranian mines in the Strait of Hormuz has brought global attention to the need for MCM capability.
