Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has entered into a strategic partnership with France-based Exail to offer advanced unmanned mine countermeasure systems for the Indian Navy’s upcoming Mine Counter Measure Vessel (MCMV) programme. The collaboration aims to strengthen India’s maritime defence capabilities through next-generation autonomous mine detection and neutralisation technologies.
Under the agreement, L&T and Exail will jointly deliver an advanced Unmanned Mine Counter Measure Suite designed to detect, classify, identify and neutralise naval mines through stand-off operations using autonomous and remotely operated systems. The technologies are intended to enhance operational safety while improving mine warfare efficiency in complex maritime environments.
L&T will serve as the prime contractor for the programme and will offer the integrated unmanned MCM suite to shipyards participating in the Indian Navy’s planned acquisition of 12 Mine Counter Measure Vessels. Exail will act as the technology partner, contributing its globally deployed mine warfare and unmanned maritime systems expertise.
The partnership is expected to provide the Indian Navy with access to proven operational technologies currently used by several international naval forces. The systems have undergone extensive real-world deployments and are designed to support modern mine countermeasure operations through advanced autonomous capabilities.
The collaboration also aligns with the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives by focusing on local capability development, indigenous manufacturing and long-term defence ecosystem strengthening. Both companies indicated that the programme would involve significant industrial collaboration and technology integration within India.
Commenting on the partnership, Arun Ramchandani, Senior Vice President and Head – Precision Engineering & Systems at L&T, said the agreement combines L&T’s experience in defence engineering, complex system integration and lifecycle support with Exail’s global expertise in unmanned maritime systems and mine warfare technologies. He added that the collaboration would support the development of advanced naval capabilities while reinforcing India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing and maritime security systems.
Jérôme Bendell, CEO of Exail’s Maritime Systems Business Line, said the company was proud to partner with L&T on a strategically important programme for the Indian Navy. He noted that the partnership extends beyond technology delivery and reflects a shared ambition to support sovereign unmanned maritime capability development in India.
Mr Bendell further stated that the collaboration offers significant opportunities for local development and production of future-generation naval drones and autonomous mission systems by combining Exail’s operational expertise with L&T’s industrial and integration strengths. The partnership is also expected to strengthen Indo-French defence cooperation at a time when both countries continue to expand strategic collaboration across naval technologies, aerospace and advanced defence systems.
L&T remains one of India’s leading defence and engineering companies with established capabilities across naval platforms, weapons systems and strategic defence infrastructure. Exail is globally recognised for its expertise in autonomous maritime technologies, navigation systems and mine warfare solutions used by defence forces across multiple countries.
