Seeking to expand its amphibious warfare capabilities, the Indian Navy is expected to soon issue a tender for building four large-sized Landing Platform Dock (LPD) warships at a cost of around Rs 80,000 crore, defence officials told ANI.
The proposed project, among the biggest for surface warship construction in India, is expected to be taken up shortly by the Defence Ministry at a high-level meeting, they said. "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," defence officials told ANI.
According to ANI, the Indian Navy wants the LPDs to serve as platforms capable of operating fixed-wing naval drones, functioning as command and control centres for prolonged shore operations, and offering air defence and offensive capabilities with long-range anti-ship missiles and drones.
Indian Shipyards to Lead, Global Firms as Design Partners
The contract will see Indian shipbuilders take the lead, with L&T, Mazagon Dockyards, Cochin Shipyard, and Hindustan Shipbuilders Limited in contention. International firms such as Navantia, Naval Group, and Fincantieri are likely to partner on design.
The Indian Navy had earlier issued a request for information in 2021 for the LPD project. Apart from enhancing amphibious warfare, the ships will also be capable of out-of-area contingency operations, transporting and deploying large forces, and carrying out humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, ANI reported.
*With Agency Inputs
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