L&T and Exail have entered a strategic collaboration to deliver an advanced Unmanned Mine Countermeasures (MCM) Suite for the Indian Navy’s Mine Counter Measures Vessels (MCMVs) program.
“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," L&T, Chairman & Managing Director, S N Subrahmanyan, said.
L&T and Exail will together provide the Indian Navy with an unmanned MCM suite, incorporating autonomous and remotely operated systems designed to detect, classify, identify, and neutralise naval mines in a safe, stand-off manner.
“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," Director of Exail Maritime Systems business line, Jérôme Bendell, stated.
L&T, as the prime contractor, will offer the Unmanned MCM Suite to all shipyards participating in Indian Navy’s upcoming programme for 12 Mine Counter Measure Vessels. Exail will serve as the technology partner.
The partnership will enable the delivery of Exail’s MCM technologies, already in operation with several navies worldwide. Aligned with the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives, the program will incorporate strong local industrial collaboration and capability development.