In a major leap for India’s naval defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy have successfully conducted validation trials of the India Multi-Influence Ground Mine (MIGM), a sophisticated underwater mine designed to counter stealth ships and submarines.
The successful test was conducted using reduced explosives during a combat firing, marking a key milestone in India’s undersea warfare readiness. The announcement comes amid rising tensions with Pakistan following the recent Pahalgam terror attack.
🔬 India Multi-Influence Ground Mine: Indigenous Innovation in Action
Developed by the Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam, the MIGM has been engineered in collaboration with DRDO’s High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) in Pune and the Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL) in Chandigarh.
Production partners include Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Visakhapatnam, and Apollo Microsystems Limited, Hyderabad, reinforcing the role of Indian industry in cutting-edge defence technology.
💥 Advanced Features of the India Multi-Influence Ground Mine
Designed to operate in complex underwater environments, the MIGM uses multi-sensor technology to detect and counter advanced threats such as stealth ships and submarines. This mine integrates acoustic, magnetic, and pressure signatures to identify targets accurately and trigger explosive responses effectively.
DRDO shared a video of the underwater test on X (formerly Twitter), showcasing the mine’s performance with a controlled explosion. The footage demonstrated the capability of the mine to simulate real combat conditions.
📢 Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Congratulates DRDO and Navy
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh praised the DRDO, Indian Navy, and the domestic defence industry, stating that the system will significantly enhance India’s undersea warfare capabilities.
“The system would further strengthen the Indian Navy’s capability to safeguard maritime borders against stealth threats,” – Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
The minister’s office also released a statement and video on X, highlighting the successful trial and India’s commitment to indigenisation under the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
⚙️ Next Steps: Induction Into the Indian Navy
DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V Kamat confirmed that with the successful validation, the India Multi-Influence Ground Mine is ready for operational induction into the Indian Navy. This will significantly enhance India’s deterrence capability in underwater zones.
This innovation complements India’s growing inventory of smart weapons like indigenous torpedoes, underwater drones, and sonar systems. For a deep dive into India’s naval R&D, visit the DRDO official website.
Bharat Dynamics Limited, a production partner of the system, said, “An MIGM is equipped with multiple sensors for recording influences like Acoustic, Magnetic, Pressure, UEP/ELFE signatures as generated by Marine vessels.” Visakhapatnam and Apollo Microsystems Limited are also partners in the production.
Underwater mines have been central to naval warfare for several centuries. During World War II, the British, Americans, Japanese and Germans used to lay mines on sea routes. According to an estimate, over half a million naval mines of several types were laid in the sea during the war.
The validation trials of MIGM come at a time when tensions between India and Pakistan are high following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, in which terrorists linked to Pakistan killed 26 civilians.
Last month, a guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy destroyed a sea-skimming target in a “precision cooperative engagement”. The test was done two days after the Pahalgam attack.
The navy, in a statement, said the homegrown guided missile destroyer INS Surat “successfully carried out a precision cooperative engagement of a sea-skimming target, marking another milestone in strengthening our defence capabilities.”
‘Trident Of Naval Power’
Last week, the Navy shared a picture featuring a surface ship, a submarine and a helicopter and captioned it “Trident of Naval Power”.
📌 Conclusion: Strategic Depth Added to India’s Maritime Defence
The testing and upcoming induction of the India Multi-Influence Ground Mine is a clear signal of India’s technological self-reliance and strategic focus in maritime security. As geopolitical tensions persist, such advancements are crucial for protecting India’s vast maritime interests.
For more updates on India’s defence innovation, check out our blog on the DRDO’s underwater autonomous weapons programme.
