April 12, 2002

'33'

CLARIFICATION ON DELAY IN DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION OF INDIGENOUS MINES FOR NAVY

    This is with reference to recent media reports on delay in development and production of indigenousmines for the Indian Navy. The reports apparently have presented a one sided version. The clarification by this Ministry is as follows: - Four projects on indigenous development of mines for the Indian Navy were ordered in respect of Swimout Mines, Limpet Mines, Ground Mines and Moored Mines. It is incorrect to say that the project for Swimout mines proved infructuous as the Navy rejected the
mines on the ground of failure of the requirement of the staff project. The Swimout mines developed by Naval and Science Technological Laboratory (NSTL) were the prototypes of the Processor Based Ground Mines (PBGM). It is further clarified that the Navy did not reject the mines because of requirements of range.  Unlike torpedoes, mines are stationary weapons and
therefore do not involve technical requirement of range.  As regard Limpet Mines media reported that out of 25 mines delivered only three were found to be satisfactory. It is clarified that out of 25 only five Limpet Mine Maindeka developed in 1995 had failed in various tests and therefore modifications were carried out in electronic and mechanical timers. 

    After necessary modifications, production of Maindeka Mines has commenced. Navy placed two indents for 425 mines in September 1996 and May 1997. Out of 425, two hundred and fifty two (252) mines have been produced by Ammunition Factory, Kirkee and supplied to Navy. The balance mines will be supplied to Navy by May this year. Some newspapers have reported that PBGM could achieve lethal range of 80 meters only against the target of 300 meters. It is clarified that the laying depth of PBGM is from 5 mts to 300 mts. The mine shell has been successfully tested to withstand the pressure upto 300 mts. Naval and Science Technological Laboratory has also indicated this capability to the Navy. It may also be mentioned that the function of the Moored Mine is entirely different from the ground mine and one cannot be substituted by the other. The delay in completion of the project was due to considerable modifications to be incorporated in the design of the mine in accordance with the changing technology and the need to keep pace with it.