Navy Seeks Four Indigenous Amphibious Ships
Why in News?
- On 19 October 2026, the Tribune reported that the Indian Navy has invited bids for four amphibious warships called Landing Platform Docks, worth nearly Rs 50,000 crore.
- Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar said a Request for Proposal was issued to shortlisted domestic shipyards the previous week.
- Each ship will displace more than 30,000 tonnes and be about 220 metres long. They would be the largest combat ships built indigenously after INS Vikrant.
- The Navy now operates one such ship, INS Jalashwa, acquired from the United States.
Key Terminologies
- Landing Platform Dock
- A large warship that carries troops, vehicles and helicopters and can land them on a shore. It is used for amphibious operations and disaster relief.
- Request for Proposal
- The formal document in which the Ministry of Defence asks shortlisted firms for technical and commercial bids for a project.
- Amphibious Operations
- Military operations in which forces move from ships onto land. They need ships that can carry troops, tanks and helicopters close to a coast.
- Electric Propulsion
- A ship propulsion system in which engines make electricity that drives electric motors. It can make ships quieter and more efficient.
Key Issues
- Scale of the Project: Four ships at nearly Rs 50,000 crore, each of over 30,000 tonnes and about 220 metres, with a crew of 60 officers and 525 sailors, according to the Tribune.
- Capability: Each ship can carry 900 fully equipped Army personnel, with vehicles, tanks and artillery, and will have two heavy-lift helicopters and 12 special-operations helicopters.
- Present Gap: The Navy operates only one Landing Platform Dock, INS Jalashwa, acquired from the United States, so four new ships would multiply its amphibious capacity.
- Indigenous Build: Domestic shipyards were invited to bid, and the ships would be the largest combat ships built indigenously after INS Vikrant. The report gives no indigenous content percentage.
- Propulsion Partnership: An India-UK defence industrial collaboration aims to co-design, co-create and co-produce the electric propulsion system. GE Vernova has partnered with BHEL on India's first land-based maritime testing facility.
Key Implications
Positive/Pros/Merits
- Joint Operations: Large amphibious ships help the Navy and Army operate together and respond to crises and disasters.
- Domestic Industry: Bidding is open to domestic shipyards, which can build skills and supply chains.
- Technology Transfer: The propulsion collaboration can bring electric propulsion know-how to India.
- Reduced Dependence: Building ships at home reduces dependence on foreign suppliers, as with the acquisition of INS Jalashwa from the United States.
Negative/Cons/Demerits
- High Cost: Nearly Rs 50,000 crore is a large outlay, and cost overruns are possible, which is an analytical point.
- Long Timeline: Big warships take years to design and build, and the report gives no delivery schedule.
- Indigenisation Detail Missing: The report gives no percentage of indigenous content, so the extent of self-reliance is unclear.
- Technology Risk: Electric propulsion on this scale is new for Indian shipyards, which may bring development risk, which is an inference.
Key Initiatives
- Request for Proposal, October 2026: The Ministry of Defence has asked shortlisted domestic shipyards for technical and commercial bids for four Landing Platform Docks.
- India-UK Electric Propulsion Collaboration: It was announced in October of the previous year to co-design, co-create and co-produce the ships' power plant.
- GE Vernova and BHEL: The British-linked firm has partnered with state-run BHEL on India's first land-based maritime testing facility, as part of the programme.
- INS Jalashwa: The Navy's only Landing Platform Dock to date, acquired from the United States, which marks the starting point for the new fleet.
The Navy says the ships would be the largest combat ships built indigenously after INS Vikrant, and the request for proposals has been issued only to domestic shipyards that were shortlisted for the work. The report reviewed does not give a timeline for contract award or delivery.
Director's Perspective
Way Forward
- Publish the indigenous content target and delivery milestones, so that the project is judged on measurable self-reliance.
- Build a domestic electric propulsion testing and supply base early, so that shipyards are not delayed by missing components.
- Phase the order so that lessons from the first ship are used for the later ones, reducing cost and risk.
- Train crews and Army units jointly for amphibious operations well in advance of the delivery of the first ship.
The tender is a significant step in naval self-reliance, but it is the start of a long road. Four large indigenous amphibious ships would transform the Navy's capacity, and the propulsion partnership addresses a hard technology gap. The risks are cost, time and the missing detail on indigenous content. In a Mains answer, credit the capability and the push for domestic shipbuilding, then conclude that clear milestones and a strong supplier base will decide whether the ships arrive on time.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Indian Navy invite bids for on 19 October 2026?
The Indian Navy has issued a Request for Proposal to shortlisted domestic shipyards for four Landing Platform Docks, large amphibious warships worth nearly Rs 50,000 crore, according to The Tribune. Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar said the request was issued in the week before 19 October.
What is a Landing Platform Dock?
A Landing Platform Dock is a large warship that carries troops, vehicles and helicopters and lands them on a shore for amphibious operations. The Indian Navy's only one at present is INS Jalashwa, which it acquired from the United States.
How large will the new Landing Platform Docks be?
Each ship will displace more than 30,000 tonnes and be about 220 metres long, with a crew of 60 officers and 525 sailors. It can carry 900 fully equipped Army personnel, with vehicles, tanks and artillery, and will have two heavy-lift and 12 special-operations helicopters.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 A Landing Platform Dock is designed for amphibious operations.
It carries troops, vehicles and helicopters.
2 The Indian Navy currently operates four Landing Platform Docks.
It operates one, INS Jalashwa, acquired from the United States.
3 A Request for Proposal is the formal document asking firms for technical and commercial bids.
The Navy issued one to shortlisted domestic shipyards.