The Indian Navy is planning to induct four landing platform docks (LPD) to its fleet to strengthen its amphibious warfare capabilities.
“We are looking to add four more LPDs in our fleet to operate alongside INS Jalashwa, the only LPD currently in service,” navy officials said.
The Defence Ministry has already issued the request for information (RFI) and the warships will be procured under the ‘buy and make’ category, according to the Press Trust of India.
The Indian shipyards, both private and public, would be required to form a partnership with foreign shipyards for the contract and the ships could be produced within the country.
The 200m-long LPDs will be able to transport main battle tanks (MBTs), heavy trucks, armoured personnel vehicles, operations of heavy-lift helicopters and other heavy machinery.
The warships will be equipped with a point missile defence system and a close-in weapon system to protect itself from enemy firing and aircraft whilst operating far away from Indian shores to support amphibious warfare.
INS Jalashwa was bought from the US Navy in 2007 and is based under the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India.
