Article

The Indian Navy (IN) lacks dedicated Mine Countermeasure Vessels (MCMVs), crucial for detecting and neutralizing naval mines that threaten vital sea lanes, especially as tensions rise in the Persian Gulf. Since the retirement of its last MCMV in April 2019, the IN has been without this capability, exposing it to strategic vulnerabilities.

Efforts to procure new MCMVs have been hindered by procurement delays and mismanagement. In July 2025, the Ministry of Defence approved the procurement of 12 indigenous MCMVs, estimated at Rs 44,000 crore, but the lengthy acquisition process may delay operational readiness. Current reliance on improvised measures and temporary solutions does not match the effectiveness of dedicated MCMVs.