In a major move to bolster its amphibious warfare capabilities, the Indian Navy is expected to soon issue a tender for the construction of four large-sized Landing Platform Dock (LPD) warships, with the project estimated at around Rs 80,000 crore.
Defence officials told ANI that the proposal is likely to be taken up by the Defence Ministry at a high-level meeting in the near future. “The project would be one of the biggest undertaken for building surface warships in the country,” the officials added.
The new warships are expected to serve as command and control centres for conducting extended operations from the sea, and will also have the capability to operate fixed-wing naval drones. The Navy aims to expand its amphibious operations capacity, enabling the transport and deployment of large forces, as well as supporting out-of-area contingency missions.
Indian shipbuilders are expected to lead the contract, with major players such as Larsen & Toubro, Mazagon Dockyards, Cochin Shipyard, and Hindustan Shipbuilders Limited likely to participate. International shipbuilders, including Navantia, Naval Group, and Fincantieri, are expected to provide design support for the warships, which will be fully integrated domestically.
The LPDs will be equipped with comprehensive air defence systems and offensive weaponry, including long-range anti-ship missiles and drones, ensuring they can operate safely in contested environments. In addition to their combat role, the vessels will also be utilized for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
The Indian Navy had previously issued a request for information for the LPD project in 2021, signaling its long-term commitment to expanding its amphibious warfare capability.
