New Delhi, Jan 8: The Central government has cancelled yet another defence project under Make in India scheme– this time a project to build 12 minesweepers for Navy has been scrapped. The vessels were to made in the Goa Shipyard in partnership with South Korea.
Minesweepers are mine counter-measure vessels (MCMVs) that detect and destroy water mines laid by enemy to sabotage operations at naval and commercial harbours. The Navy urgently needs 24 operating minesweepers, but is managing with only four archaic minesweepers currently.
The gap in the operational capability is a threat to maritime security as Chinese vessels, which have the capability of laying mines, have been very active in the Indian ocean recently. \
A TOI report said the government has asked the Goa Shipyard to start the process of construction afresh after cancelling the deal with South Korean shipyard Kangnam. They have been asked o issue an expression of interest, which will be followed by the tender process.
The deal was cancelled as Kangnam wanted changes in the RPF. This is one of the six major projects scrapped by the government due to procedural bottlenecks. These projects were to be carried out in India and were worth over Rs 3.5 lakh crore.