Editing GSL Mine Counter-Measure Vessels (section)

==Background==

In May 2004, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MOD) approved a [[mine countermeasures vessel|Mine Counter-Measures Vessel]] (MCMV) programme. The plan was to procure up to 24 MCMVs to replace the 12 existing Soviet-made Pondicherry/Karwar-class ocean [[minesweeper (ship)|minesweepers]] that had been in service for the last 25 to 30 years. An order was placed with [[Goa Shipyard Limited]] (GSL) for eight Mine Counter-Measures Vessels (MCMVs).

The hulls were to be made from "lightweight reinforced composites rather than [[steel]] to lower their acoustic and magnetic signatures and to better resist underwater explosions."<ref>globalsecurity.org. [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/india/m-mcm.htm "Mine Counter-Measures Vessel (MCMV)"]</ref> Hence a [[request for proposal]] (RFP) for construction and/or technology assistance was asked by Goa Shipyard Limited from builders [[Intermarine]] of Italy, Kangnam Corp and [[IZAR]] of Spain. Kangnam and Intermarine were shortlisted for meeting technical requirements. Thereafter Kangnam bidded a lower price and contracted the deal worth $670 million with Indian Ministry of Defence in 2011. The first two MCMVs were to be delivered by 2016, followed by user trials and acceptance, while the remaining six were to be built by Goa Shipyard Limited [GSL].
In 2014, the [[Ministry of Defence (India)|Ministry of Defence]] canceled a 2008 global tender in which Kangnam Corporation had emerged as the winner because of the South Korean company's alleged use of defense agents in pursuing the deal, which overseas defense companies are not allowed to do under Indian law