MINE COUNTERMEASURES VESSELS

Defense News reported in May 2004, that the Indian Navy placed an order to Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for eight Mine Countermeasures Vessels (MCMVs) at a cost of more than $1 billion. GSL would seek foreign naval companies for the sensitive equipment aboard these glass-reinforced-fibre ships. A senior naval procurement official at the Ministry of Defence stated that RFPs (request for proposals) for mine-hunting gear will soon go to Thales of France; Atlas Elektronik of Germany; FABA of Spain and Eca of France. An Indian Navy official stated that these MCMVs will search for mines using a high-definition sonar and then neutralise them with explosives by remote-controlled mine disposal systems. Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) is expected to supply the fire control radar for the vessel and BEL in a joint venture with OTO Melara of Italy will develop a 30mm gun. The MoD is expected float a tender in June 2004 for select shipbuilding technology from Intermarine of Italy; Kangnam of South Korea and Izar of Spain. The vessel will be made of lightweight reinforced composite materials to lower their acoustic and magnetic signatures, and to better resist underwater explosions. The first MCMV is expected to arrive in 2008 and will patrol India's harbours.

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