Indian Navy is in urgent need of minesweeper ships, left will only two
The Indian Navy currently is in possession of only two minesweeper ships at its disposal. These ships are essential to safeguard sea lanes and ports spread across thousands of kilometres of coastlines in the eastern and western seaboards.
The Navy requires 12 minesweeper ships. But at present, it has only two. This was informed Rear Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, Assistant Chief of Material, Indian Navy.
These minesweepers are small naval warships that detect and destroy underwater mines. They are considered vital for keeping the critical sea lanes safe so that the movement of essential cargo can be carried out without problems.
The government has been looking for a foreign collaborator for this purpose. This is because the project cost is over Rs 32,000 crore. The basic function of the ships would be to locate, classify, sweep and neutralise all types of ground moored and drift mines.
Last year, a parliamentary committee on defence had slammed the government for delay in procurement of the minesweepers. The committee asked the government to make efforts to fill the gap in the Navy’s capability.
There are at least 12 major ports and several other minor or intermediate ports in the eastern and western seaboards. Most of these are currently unguarded from mines which are now virtually undetectable the Navy.
The situation has been left as it is for quite a few years. But the solution to the problem must be found urgently. That is because of the rising tensions among the various nations. The international affair is not quite suitable to be leisuring without being concerned about the defensive capabilities of the country.
The minesweeper ships shall not be a decorative addition to the Indian Navy. They will serve the purpose of better safeguarding the country not only from external threats but also from internal ones.
