The Spanish company Navantia and India's Larsen & Toubro (L&T) have signed a strategic cooperation agreement on the upcoming program for the construction of four amphibious helicopter dock ships for the Indian Navy (known in the country as the LPD program). The Memorandum of Understanding, signed in Madrid, sets the framework for a long-term partnership between the two companies.
According to Naval News, the collaboration will combine L&T's engineering expertise with Navantia's expertise in the design and construction of surface ships and submarines. It will contribute to the development of the competencies of the Indian industry for the construction of large platforms, as well as strengthen the offer due to the extensive experience of the Spanish side.
Navantia has considerable experience in building universal amphibious assault ships such as the Juan Carlos I for the Spanish Navy and the Canberra and Adelaide for the Royal Australian Navy. These proven projects will form the basis of the LPD program, which provides for the acquisition of four ships to support India's amphibious operations, humanitarian missions and disaster relief operations, as well as other naval tasks.
Universal landing ship "Juan Carlos I", Spain
Wikipedia
"This collaboration brings together L&T's extensive shipbuilding capabilities and the expertise of Navantia, one of the world's leading warship designers and builders, to support India's highly complex LPD program,– said Arun Ramchandani, Senior vice president and head of Precision Engineering and Systems at L&T. "We are confident that this partnership will strengthen India's maritime capabilities and advance the country's independence in building such complex and important platforms."
Gonzalo Mateo-Guerrero, Director of Operations and Business at Navantia, noted that Navantia's expertise in the design and development of strategic offshore platforms, combined with L&T's engineering expertise and shipbuilding expertise, will enable the development of the best technical solutions for the Indian Navy.
"Navantia also remains committed to the long–term support of L&T, the Indian Navy, and all stakeholders throughout the LPD lifecycle," he said.
The Indian Navy's need for amphibious dock ships has been known for a long time: the Request for Information (RFI) was issued back in 2021. It provided for the purchase of four 200-meter-long ships with an electric propulsion system and a capacity of 900 military personnel. RFI also pointed to the possibility of accepting helicopters of various types. In addition, it was about weapon systems: launchers for 16 anti-ship and 32 anti-aircraft missiles.
Amphibious dock ships are designed to transport and disembark expeditionary forces using boats or amphibious vehicles and helicopters. They will also serve as carriers of autonomous systems and support the operation of promising unmanned vehicles, platforms and equipment.
The length of the LPD will be about 220 meters, with a displacement of 29,000 tons. The ships will receive multifunctional radars, an aerial surveillance radar, an integrated fully electric propulsion system, and amphibious boats for transporting personnel and equipment.
According to Naval News, the amphibious capabilities of the Indian Navy have significantly decreased in recent years due to the decommissioning of old amphibious transports.
