The Indian Navy has invited shortlisted domestic shipyards to submit technical and commercial bids for four Landing Platform Docks (LPDs). It is one of the largest indigenous warship programmes since INS Vikrant was commissioned. The Ministry of Defence issued the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the project, estimated at nearly ₹50,000 crore. Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar confirmed that bidding began after the RFP reached the shipyards last week.
Largest Indigenous Combat Vessels After INS Vikrant
Each LPD will displace over 30,000 tons. Among India's planned indigenous combat ships, only the 45,000-ton INS Vikrant is larger. The Navy currently operates just one LPD, INS Jalashwa, acquired from the United States.
Key Specifications of the Indian Navy LPDs
Each ship will be about 220 metres long, with a crew of 60 officers and 525 sailors. It can carry up to 900 fully equipped Army personnel with their combat equipment, plus specialised landing craft for ship-to-shore operations. The flight deck will support two heavy-lift helicopters and up to 12 special operations helicopters. Onboard workshops will sustain naval task groups on long deployments.
The ships will use an integrated electric propulsion system developed under India-UK industrial collaboration. GE Vernova and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) are setting up India's first land-based maritime propulsion testing facility for it.
Roles Beyond Amphibious Warfare
The LPDs will move troops, tanks, artillery and vehicles ashore during amphibious assaults. They will also serve as command-and-control platforms, provide fire support and coordinate aerial and underwater drones for surveillance, mine countermeasures and anti-submarine tasks. Their weapons will defend against aircraft, missiles and drones. Their modular design lets them work as floating hospitals and logistics hubs during disaster relief missions.
The programme follows the Joint Doctrine for Amphibious Operations released in August 2025. That doctrine sets out how maritime, air and land forces should operate together and calls for dedicated amphibious force headquarters.
Why Does the LPD Programme Matters?
China's PLA Navy already operates Type 071 LPDs and Type 075 amphibious assault ships. Its growing access to ports such as Gwadar, Djibouti and Sri Lanka, along with concerns over the Maldives, has pushed India to build its own expeditionary strength. The four LPDs will extend the Navy's reach and move India further toward becoming a blue-water navy.
Why Does It Matters for Defence Aspirants?
Indigenous warship programmes are frequent topics in NDA and CDS GAT papers and SSB discussions. At Major Kalshi Classes (MKC), we turn such defence current affairs into exam-ready notes for aspirants.
