The Indian Navy has been looking for modern Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCMV) for close to two decades. The search that began in 2005 is yet to result in the induction of new minesweepers. Plans to induct modern MCMVs received a setback in 2018, when the Ministry of Defence (MoD) cancelled a Rs 32,000-crore) project, in which Goa Shipyard had partnered with a South Korean shipyard to build 12 minesweepers.

The navy remains some time away from acquiring these vessels, which are vital to naval operations by locating, classifying and neutralising all types of ground and moored mines, in addition to undertaking mine laying, channel conditioning, route survey and sanitization. MCMVs can also undertake Local Naval Defence, Search & Rescue, Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO) and Visit Board Search and Seize (VBSS) operations. The navy’s fleet of six Russian origin MCMVs were originally to have been decommissioned from service in 2016, when they were already 25 years old. The operational relevance of these obsolescent minesweepers (now over 30 years old), even if they are still in service, is questionable.

Fresh Attempt

In keeping with the trend of sidestepping the Indian defence procurement quagmire by leasing military platforms, the ministry of defence (MoD) issued a request for information (RFI), late last year, for procurement/ leasing of 3-4 MCMVs from a foreign government or a shipyard backed/ funded by a foreign government. The RFI asked for a sovereign guarantee through a government to government (G2G) agreement. Following the conclusion of the tender process, the MoD anticipated delivery timeline for the first vessel after 10 months followed by delivery of subsequent vessels every four months. The speed of deliveries asked for indicates the urgency of the procurement.

The MoD has chosen to follow two separate paths, which involve either the procurement of in service/ decommissioned MCMVs to be retrofitted to meet Indian Navy requirements or leasing of such vessels, again retrofitted to meet Indian requirements. A lease period of 10 years, extendable to 15 years, with the option of purchase of the asset at the end of the lease period has been asked for. It will be either a finance lease or an operating lease (Dry lease) for 10 years extendable up to 15 years. The vessels are to have a service life of 20 years, though the navy is likely to keep them in service for at least 25 years.