India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) helmed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for procurement of Landing Platform Docks (LPD), 30mm Naval Surface Guns (NSG), Advanced Light Weight Torpedoes (ALWT), Electro Optical Infra-Red Search and Track System and Smart Ammunition for 76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount.
The Indian Navy’s requirement for LPDs is long known, with a Request for Information (RFI) released in 2021. The RFI had called for four 200 meter long vessels with electric propulsion and the capacity to embark 900 troops. The RFI also required the LPDs to have a through deck capable of accommodating helicopters of various types, making the ship a LHD rather than an LPD. The ship was also required to be heavily armed, with 16 anti-ship missiles and 32 VLSRSAM missiles.
Recently, in the TPCR 2025 vision document, four LPDs were required with the following description:
Landing Platform Docks are envisaged to embark, transport and land elements of a force for expeditionary operations using specialised surface craft and integral helicopters. It will act as mother ship for unmanned capability and to support operation of futuristic unmanned vehicles, platforms and equipment. The length of the LPD would be about 220m +/-5% and displacement of 29000T +/- 10%. The ships will be equipped with Multi -Function Radars, Air Surveillance Radars associated weapons/ equipment, Combat Management System, Integrated Full Electric Propulsion, Landing Craft Mechanised (LCMs) and Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVPs), Unmanned Vehicles viz, Remotely Operated Vessels, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, Gliders.
Contrary to initial reports which suggested that the four LPDs will cost ₹80,000 crores ($9 billion), the DAC approval is worth about ₹33,000 crores ($3.75 billion). In fact, all the proposals cleared in the meeting, including ones for the Indian Army and IAF, amounts to just ₹79,000 crores. This brings into question the number, size and features of LPDs proposed by the Navy, primarily whether the ships will be similar to known requirements. Any inclusion of offensive armament also remains to be seen. The ships will have a displacement of over 20,000 tons.
Procurement of LPDs will help the Indian Navy to undertake amphibious operations along with the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. The integrated sea capability provided by LPD will also help the Indian Navy to undertake peacekeeping operations, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief etc.
Indian Ministry of Defence
The Indian Navy’s amphibious capability has declined notably in recent years due to decommissioning of old LSTs. The sole ex-US Navy LPD INS Jalashwa is the flagship amphibious vessel. Just four LSTs remain in service: 3 Shardul class vessels commissioned in the late 2000s and INS Gharial of the Magar class, which was commissioned in 1997. These are supported by eight Mk IV LCUs commissioned in the late 2010s and several smaller vessels. INS Jalashwa has notably been used for trials of India’s Gaganyaan human space flight mission by ISRO.
The Navy is likely to utilize the LPDs, which will be designed and constructed in India with potential foreign collaboration, to operate fixed wing drones, uncrewed surface and underwater vehicles. DRDO is developing an Electro-Magnetic Launch System (EMLS) capable of launching drones of up to 400kg which has potential application in a vessel of this class. This technology is being scaled up as an EMALS for aircraft carriers. Any inclusion of EMLS as well as DEW systems, initially or in the future, will be made easier due to electric propulsion. If the LPD project proceeds smoothly, these ships will potentially be the first Indian naval vessels to utilize Rolls Royce IFEP solution based on the MT-30 gas turbine engines. India and UK had recently announced the intent to finalize an India – UK Inter-Governmental Agreement on cooperation in developing maritime electric propulsion systems for Indian Naval platforms, worth an initial £250 million.
Landing Platform Dock (LPDs) shall be capable to transport and land ashore a combined arms force and to sustain their operations ashore. Inherent to this capability would be a capacity to embark and sustain a body of troops at sea for prolonged durations, to embark, stow onboard and discharge at the objective the full range of the combat cargo required for undertaking and sustaining the operations ashore and to enable operation of multiple means of ship to shore movement of troops and cargo. LPDs will undertake Out of Area Contingencies (OOAC) through its inherent capability to transport and deploy forces ashore, ability to arrive quickly in area, and sustain operations at sea for prolonged durations. LPDs will act as Command Centre for the Commander, Amphibious Task Force, Landing Force Commander and the Air Force Commander and also undertake Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Missions. Additionally, LPDs will also act as mother ship for unmanned capability and to support operation/ exploitation of all dimensions of futuristic unmanned vehicles/ platforms/ equipment.
Excerpt from the 2021 RFI for LPDs
The ALWT is a successor to DRDO’s Torpedo Advanced Light (TAL) Shyena which is currently used by India and Myanmar. The ALWT is capable of targeting conventional, nuclear and midget submarines. The ALWT is also used by the Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) munition which is a technology demonstrator program for a long range torpedo delivery missile. The ALWT will be built by state-owned Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
The “30mm NSG will enhance the capability of the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard to conduct Low Intensity Maritime Operations & anti-piracy roles”, according to a MoD press release. The AoN is reportedly for acquiring 30mm guns worth ₹1200 crores ($137 million). The system is likely to be acquired through a tendering process. Recently, GRSE stated that it had developed a 30mm NSG in collaboration with Blue Horizons Strategic Engineering Ltd. (BHSEL) and Elbit Systems. These guns are used in India’s latest ASW SWC vessels.
EOIRST and smart ammunition for the BHEL assembled 76mm SRGM, the primary gun used by Indian Navy warships, will greatly improve the self defence capability of the ships particularly against threats like UAVs and USVs.
An AoN is among the first steps in the Indian defence acquisition process and will be followed by a Request for Proposal (RFP).
