Unmanned MCM Integrated System | Image: Exail
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) and France-based Exail have announced a partnership to provide an unmanned mine counter-measure suite for the Indian Navy’s planned Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCMVs) programme.
The announcement was made on May 14 and covers systems intended for the Indian Navy’s planned fleet of 12 MCMVs. Under the arrangement, L&T will act as the prime contractor and offer the unmanned mine counter-measure suite to shipyards participating in the programme, while Exail will serve as the technology partner.
According to the companies, the system will include autonomous and remotely operated platforms designed to detect, classify, identify and neutralise naval mines while operating at a stand-off distance from the host vessel.
The companies said the collaboration would involve local industrial participation and capability development in line with the Indian government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.
Arun Ramchandani, Senior Vice President and Head – Precision Engineering & Systems, L&T, said, “This partnership brings together L&T, with its extensive defence products legacy and maritime capabilities, and Exail, a global leader in unmanned maritime systems and mine warfare technologies. Exail contributes decades of proven operational expertise, while L&T leverages its strengths in defence engineering, indigenous manufacturing, complex system integration and lifecycle support”.
Jérôme Bendell, Chief Executive Officer – Maritime Systems Business Line, Exail, said, “We are proud to partner with L&T on this strategic programme for the Indian Navy. Beyond delivering a proven unmanned mine countermeasures capability, this collaboration also reflects a shared ambition to support the long-term development of sovereign unmanned maritime systems in India. By combining Exail’s operational expertise with L&T’s strong industrial and integration capabilities, we see significant potential to contribute to the local development and production of next-generation naval drones and autonomous mission systems”.
L&T said it would use its defence engineering, manufacturing and system integration capabilities for the programme. Exail, which specialises in robotics, maritime, navigation and aerospace technologies, will provide mine warfare and unmanned maritime system technologies already used by several navies worldwide.
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