NEW DELHI: India’s defence and infra major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) 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.L&T and Exail will together provide the Indian Navy with a state-of-the-art unmanned MCM suite, incorporating autonomous and remotely operated systems designed to detect, classify, identify and neutralise naval mines in a safe, stand-off manner. L&T, as the prime contractor, will offer the unmanned MCM suite to all shipyards participating in the Indian Navy’s upcoming programme for 12 mine countermeasure vessels. Exail will serve as the technology partner.The collaboration represents a major step towards strengthening India’s mine countermeasure capabilities, enhancing maritime security and reinforcing Indo-French defence cooperation, while building a robust and self-reliant naval defence manufacturing ecosystem in India, an L&T release said.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.”Aligned with the govt’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives, the programme will incorporate strong local industrial collaboration and capability development.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.”