L&T and Exail will together provide the Indian Navy with a state-of-the-art unmanned MCM suite, incorporating autonomous and remotely operated systems designed to detect, classify, identify, and neutralize 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 the 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. The collaboration represents a major step towards strengthening India’s mine countermeasure capabilities, enhancing maritime security, and reinforcing Indo-French defense cooperation, while building a robust and self-reliant naval defense manufacturing ecosystem in India.
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.
“This partnership brings together L&T, with its extensive defense 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 defense engineering, indigenous manufacturing, complex system integration, and lifecycle support,” said Arun Ramchandani, Senior VP & Head -Precision Engineering & Systems, L&T.
“We are proud to partner with L&T on this strategic program 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,” said Jérôme Bendell, Director of Exail Maritime Systems business line.
