The US Senate has approved the sale of two Osprey Class minehunters to India to bolster the Indian Navy’s coastal security efforts.

The two minehunters, Kingfisher (MHC-56) and Cormorant (MHC-57), are designed to endure underwater explosion shocks and are built completely of fibreglass.

The Osprey minehunters are capable of performing missions that include reconnaissance, classification and neutralisation of all moored and bottom mines in littoral areas, harbours and coastal waterways.

These warships are equipped with a high definition, variable-depth sonar, and a remotely operated, robotic submarine to neutralise mines.

The Indian Navy currently deploys Czech-made Pondicherry and Mahe Class minesweepers, according to Daily News Analysis.