India has successfully test-fired the Multi-Influence Ground Mine (MIGM), a new-generation underwater naval mine developed by DRDO in collaboration with the Indian Navy, significantly boosting India’s undersea warfare capability.
Key Highlights
- Test Conducted By: DRDO and Indian Navy
- Purpose: Combat firing trials (with reduced explosives) of an indigenously developed underwater naval mine.
- Outcome: MIGM successfully validated, boosting India’s maritime defence and deterrence capabilities.
About MIGM (Multi-Influence Ground Mine)
- Developer:
- Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam
- In collaboration with other DRDO labs
- Production Partners:
- Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Visakhapatnam
- Apollo Microsystems Ltd, Hyderabad
- Function:
- Detects and targets stealth ships and submarines.
- Versatility: can be deployed from a range of platforms, such as submarines, ships and COOPs (Cooperative Undersea Operating Platforms).
- Can detect variety of vessel signatures, in situations involving stealth or low-visibility vessels.
- Equipped with multiple sensors to detect:
- Acoustic,
- Magnetic,
- Pressure,
- UEP/ELFE (Underwater Electric Potential/Extremely Low Frequency Electromagnetic) signatures.
- Significance: Enhances Indian Navy’s asymmetric and deterrence warfare capabilities against stealth maritime threats. Complements effectiveness and reach of undersea defence strategies.
Strategic Context
- Geopolitical Timing:
- Test occurred amid rising tensions with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which 26 civilians were killed by Pakistan-linked terrorists.
- Reinforces India’s preparedness in light of growing maritime security threats.
- Historical Background:
- Underwater mines have played a pivotal role in naval warfare since World War II.
- Over 500,000 naval mines were laid globally during WWII by various powers like the UK, US, Japan, and Germany.