The absence of Mine Countermeasures Vessels (MCMVs) and an inordinate delay in the procurement process has forced the Indian Navy to go in for an emergency procurement of clip-on suites from Thales Australia. These can be fitted on small boats to deal with underwater mines

New Delhi: The Indian Navy has restarted the process to build 12 mine countermeasure vessels (MCMVs) at the country's state-owned Goa Shipyard in western India. MCMVs are essential for the Indian Navy in detecting and destroying mines laid by enemy forces to choke harbours and spread mayhem.

The project, worth around $5 billion, requires a global partner that can do a technology transfer for minesweepers and assist in setting up additional production infrastructure at the shipyard. Last year, the Indian Defence Ministry sent an Expression of Interest (EoI) to South Korea's Kangnam Corporation, Italy's Intermarine, Spain's Navantia, Germany's ThyssenKrupp, and Russian Shipyards.

"Prospective collaborators need to have proven capability for design and construction of similar GRP Hull MCMVs for transferring the Design and build technology to the production agency. The design offered by the prospective collaborator needs to be based on a proven design of MCMV in active service", a global request for information issued by the Indian Navy reads.