The Indian Navy is set to significantly bolster its amphibious warfare capabilities with the imminent acquisition of four large Landing Platform Dock (LPD) warships, valued at around Rs 80,000 crore. Once commissioned, these vessels will not only expand the Navy’s operational reach but also strengthen India’s standing among the world’s maritime powers.
Currently, India possesses a modest fleet of amphibious and surface combat ships compared with global naval leaders such as the United States, China, and France. The new LPDs will enhance the Navy’s ability to conduct out-of-area contingency operations, carry large troop deployments, and act as command-and-control centres at sea for prolonged missions.
Defence officials maintained that the Defence Ministry is expected to take up the proposal at a high-level meeting soon. “The Defence Ministry is expected to soon take up the Indian Navy proposal, expected to be worth around Rs 80,000 crore, at a high-level meeting. The project would be one of the biggest for building surface warships in the country,” they stated on condition of anonymity.
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The ships are expected to operate fixed-wing naval drones and be fully integrated with advanced air defence and long-range offensive systems, including anti-ship missiles. They will also serve in human assistance and disaster relief operations, reflecting the Navy’s expanding strategic and humanitarian role.
Indian shipbuilders will lead the construction of the warships, with major domestic players such as L&T, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, Cochin Shipyard, and Hindustan Shipbuilders Limited participating. International design partners, including Navantia, Naval Group, and Fincantieri, are expected to provide technical expertise to ensure the vessels are built to global standards.
The Indian Navy first issued a request for information for the LPD project in 2021, highlighting a long-standing ambition to expand amphibious capabilities. The four LPDs will join India’s growing fleet of surface combatants and aircraft carriers, reinforcing its capacity to secure maritime interests across the Indian Ocean Region and beyond.
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