L&T Partners France-based Exail for Indian Navy's Unmanned Mine Counter Measure Suite
Larsen & Toubro has collaborated with France-based Exail to provide an Unmanned Mine Counter-Measure Suite for the Indian Navy's 12 Mine Counter Measure Vessels programme. L&T will act as prime contractor while Exail contributes globally proven MCM technologies. The partnership supports India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives, reinforcing Indo-French defence cooperation.

*this image is generated using AI for illustrative purposes only.
Larsen & Toubro has entered a strategic collaboration with France-based Exail to deliver an advanced Unmanned Mine Counter-Measure (MCM) Suite for the Indian Navy's Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCMVs) programme. The announcement was made on May 14, 2026, through a press release issued by the company's Corporate Brand Management & Communications division.
Partnership Structure and Scope
Under the collaboration, L&T will serve as the prime contractor, offering the Unmanned MCM Suite to all shipyards participating in the Indian Navy's upcoming programme for 12 Mine Counter Measure Vessels. Exail will serve as the technology partner, contributing its globally proven MCM technologies that are already in operation with several navies worldwide and validated through extensive real-world deployments.
The key details of the collaboration are outlined below:
| Parameter: | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme: | Indian Navy's Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCMVs) |
| Number of Vessels: | 12 Mine Counter Measure Vessels |
| L&T Role: | Prime Contractor |
| Exail Role: | Technology Partner |
| Exail Headquarters: | France |
| Announcement Date: | May 14, 2026 |
Capabilities of the Unmanned MCM Suite
The Unmanned MCM Suite will incorporate autonomous and remotely operated systems designed to perform a comprehensive range of mine warfare functions. The suite is engineered to:
- Detect naval mines in a safe, stand-off manner
- Classify and identify detected threats
- Neutralise naval mines without endangering personnel or vessels
This capability set represents a significant advancement in India's mine countermeasure infrastructure, enhancing overall maritime security.
Strategic and Policy Alignment
The partnership is aligned with the Government of India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives. The programme will incorporate strong local industrial collaboration and capability development, contributing to the building of a robust and self-reliant naval defence manufacturing ecosystem in India. The collaboration also reinforces Indo-French defence cooperation.
Leadership Commentary
Senior executives from both organisations commented on the strategic significance of the partnership.
Arun Ramchandani, Senior VP & Head – Precision Engineering & Systems, L&T, said: "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."
Jérôme Bendell, CEO – Maritime Systems Business Line, Exail, said: "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."
About the Companies
Larsen & Toubro is a USD 32 billion Indian multinational engaged in EPC Projects, Hi-Tech Manufacturing, Products and Services, operating across diverse domains and multiple geographies. Exail is a leading high-tech industrial company specialising in cutting-edge robotics, maritime, navigation, aerospace and photonics technologies, delivering performance, reliability and safety to civil and defence clients operating in severe environments.
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Which Indian shipyards are likely to compete for the 12 MCMV contracts, and how might L&T's role as prime contractor influence the bidding dynamics?
How could this L&T-Exail collaboration serve as a blueprint for future Indo-French defence co-production agreements under bilateral defence frameworks?
What is the projected timeline for technology transfer and local manufacturing ramp-up, and could India eventually export indigenously produced MCM systems to third-party navies?


































