Exail Belgium and Larsen & Toubro have entered into a landmark partnership to supply autonomous mine countermeasure systems for the Indian Navy, with the first phase covering 12 vessels and the program potentially expanding to 59 ships.

This initiative directly addresses India’s long-standing capability gap in mine warfare, which has persisted since the decommissioning of its last mine countermeasure vessel in 2019.

The Indian Navy has faced a critical shortfall in mine countermeasure capability for several years. The decommissioning of INS Kozhikode in April 2019 left India without dedicated mine countermeasure vessels, exposing vulnerabilities in maritime security.

Multiple tenders over the past two decades failed to deliver results, and even a 2021 attempt to lease vessels did not materialise. The Defence Acquisition Council finally approved a program in July 2025, allocating ₹3,75,000 crores for 12 mine countermeasure vessels, with deliveries scheduled between 2030 and 2037.

Each vessel will measure 87 metres in length and displace 2,800 tons. They are expected to be equipped with a 76mm naval gun, short-range air defence missiles, and directed-energy weapons or 30mm cannons.

The specifications also require the ability to host two compact autonomous surface vessels, four heavyweight autonomous underwater vehicles, one ship-launched utility multi-copter, and at least 20 smaller remotely operated vehicles. This reflects a strong emphasis on unmanned and autonomous systems to ensure safe, stand-off mine clearance operations.

Exail Belgium, a global leader in unmanned maritime systems, will provide its proven technologies, including SeaScan and K-Ster C remotely operated vehicles, as well as A-9M and A-18M autonomous underwater vehicles.

These systems have already been validated through extensive deployments with other navies worldwide. Larsen & Toubro, acting as the prime contractor, will integrate these systems into the vessels, leveraging its extensive defence engineering expertise, indigenous manufacturing capabilities, and system integration experience.

The collaboration is aligned with India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. Both companies have pledged significant local industrial participation to maximise indigenous content.

This will not only strengthen India’s naval defence ecosystem but also contribute to the development of next-generation naval drones and autonomous mission systems within the country.

Arun Ramchandani of L&T highlighted that the partnership combines L&T’s legacy in defence products with Exail’s operational expertise, while Jérôme Bendell of Exail emphasised the ambition to support sovereign unmanned maritime systems in India.

The first phase of 12 vessels is only the beginning. Defence sources indicate that the requirement could expand to as many as 59 ships, reflecting the scale of India’s maritime security needs. This expansion would represent one of the largest mine warfare programs globally, positioning India as a major hub for unmanned mine countermeasure technologies.

The broader context of India-Belgium defence cooperation adds weight to this agreement. During Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever’s visit to India in September 2026, ten major defence agreements were signed, covering rockets, ammunition, drones, tank turrets, and electro-optics. 

Belgium assured India that it would not extend defence cooperation to Pakistan, reinforcing trust in the partnership. The agreements also included a Letter of Intent for structured cooperation between the armed forces, covering training, exchanges, research, and joint exercises.

This partnership between Exail Belgium and Larsen & Toubro represents a decisive step in closing India’s mine warfare gap. It strengthens maritime security, enhances indigenous defence manufacturing, and deepens strategic ties with Belgium, while laying the foundation for India to emerge as a leader in unmanned mine countermeasure technologies.

Agencies