The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and the Indian Navy recently tested an indigenously designed and developed seabed mine named MIGM (multi-influence ground mine).
The test under combat conditions was carried out using a reduced explosive warhead.
Seabed Mines
Seabed mines are explosive devices placed on or anchored to the ocean floor, designed to detect and destroy enemy ships or submarines. Also referred to as “ground mines,” they are triggered by various signatures of passing vessels, such as acoustic, magnetic, pressure, or seismic influences.
Seabed mines differ from buoyant or moored mines, which float at various depths. Resting on the ocean floor, seabed mines are harder to detect compared to buoyant or moored mines, which float at various depths and are more visible to sonar or other detection systems.
Their position on the seabed reduces the likelihood of visual or acoustic detection, especially in deeper or complex underwater environments.
Also, ground mines are not easily displaced or damaged by ocean currents, tides, or rough weather. They remain stationary, ensuring consistent coverage of strategic areas like harbors, choke points, or sea lanes.
Seabed mines feature multi-influence sensors. These sensors are optimized for the seabed environment, where they can pick up subtle disturbances caused by passing vessels, making them highly effective against low-signature targets.
Seabed mine sensors are more sensitive because they are oriented upwards and focused on the water column above where target vessels operate. Buoyant or moored mine sensors have to look down into the seabed clutter, resulting in lower discrimination and sensitivity.
Seabed clutter—such as natural sediment, marine life, rocks, or debris—can generate noise or false signals that interfere with sensor accuracy.
By looking upward, the sensors minimize interference from this clutter, as the water column is generally less noisy and more uniform compared to the complex seabed environment. This improves the signal-to-noise ratio, making it easier to detect a vessel’s acoustic, magnetic, pressure, or electric potential signatures.
MIGM
As its name suggests, the MIGM also features multi-influence sensors—acoustic, magnetic, pressure, and seismic sensors—that can detect the sophisticated signatures of modern stealth ships and submarines.
The MIGM has been developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam — a DRDO lab specializing in naval systems — in collaboration with two other DRDO establishments: High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune, and Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh.
According to the DRDO, the MIGM test demonstrated the system’s operational readiness and effectiveness under realistic conditions.
“The successful firing confirms the system’s multi-sensor integration and intelligent triggering capabilities, tailored to address evolving maritime threats.”
“Production of the MIGM will be undertaken by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Visakhapatnam, and Apollo Microsystems Limited, Hyderabad, ensuring that the system is manufactured domestically at scale, in line with the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.”
Other nations that have developed seabed mines like the DRDO’s MIGM include the US, Russia, China, and Italy.
US Submarine-Launched Mobile Mine (SLMM)
The US has deployed an advanced seabed mine laying system called Mk 67 Submarine-Launched Mobile Mine (SLMM) for use on its Los Angeles-class SSNs.
The system is designed for covert minelaying in hostile waters, such as harbors, straits, or shipping lanes, where direct delivery by aircraft or surface ships would be too risky.
The system comprises a repurposed Mk 37 torpedo that can be launched like an ordinary torpedo to stealthily deploy a multi-influence seabed mine at a set distance and direction from the launch point.
The SLMM provides a way to deny access or trap enemy vessels in key maritime choke points such as the Strait of Malacca.
Russian PMK-3
The Russian PMK-3 multi-influence seabed is similar in concept to the SLMM but adopts a different approach to remote mine laying.
Like the SLMM, it can be deployed from a submarine’s torpedo tube. However, instead of using a repurposed torpedo to travel the distance from the launch point to the intended deployment point, the PMK-3 uses a solid-fuel rocket motor that propels it to a much greater distance while remaining underwater.
It can travel a longer distance before settling on the seabed and carries a heavier explosive package that can inflict greater damage on larger warships and submarines.
The PMK-3 can be programmed with delayed activation and self-destruct/self-neutralization timers.
Italy’s MANTA
Italy’s MANTA, a modern smart seabed mine developed by the Italian defense company Leonardo, is also considered to be comparable to the DRDO’s MIGM.
It is part of Italy’s next-generation naval mine warfare capabilities and is designed for strategic sea denial, harbor protection, and area denial missions.
Here are the key features based on Leonardo’s official information.
It can be deployed via ship, submarine, or UUV (Unmanned Underwater Vehicle). Equipped with multi-influence sensors (magnetic, acoustic, pressure), it can distinguish between targets using target detection algorithms, reducing the chances of false detonations. It can be customized for different mission profiles—e.g., harbor denial, area denial, choke point control. It can be remotely programmed to activate or self-destruct.
All the above seabed mines have low acoustic and magnetic signatures to resist detection by mine countermeasures.
Conclusion
The Italian MANTA seabed mine is the most modern of the seabed mines that are currently deployed operationally. Its outstanding features include configuration customization and remote programming. It’s not known if the DRDO’s MIGM will have these capabilities.
Seabed mines that can be remotely and stealthily deployed are referred to as mobile mines. Notably, the MANTA is not a mobile mine.
Going by the name, MIGM is also not a mobile mine. It’s highly likely that the MIGM will initially be deployed using ships and possibly sea drones.
It remains to be seen if the Indian Navy will pursue a stealthy remote-laying capability using a torpedo or rocket motor. If it does, the system could be available in 5 to 10 years.
- Vijainder K Thakur is a retired IAF Jaguar pilot, author, software architect, entrepreneur, and military analyst.
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