SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Spanish state-owned defense giant Navantia, in collaboration with Larsen & Toubro (L&T), is set to offer its Juan Carlos I landing platform dock (LPD) to the Indian Navy. The Indian Navy issued a request for information (RFI) for four LPDs in 2021, and Navantia is aiming to provide technology transfer (ToT) to L&T to enable the manufacture of the LPDs in India.
“We are ready to offer our Juan Carlos I LPD to the Indian Navy, and we are confident that it meets the requirements of the Indian Navy,” said José Porto, managing director of Navantia India. “We are also prepared to provide ToT to L&T so that the LPDs can be manufactured in India.”
The Juan Carlos I LPD is a versatile vessel that can be used for a variety of missions, including transporting military assets, supplies, and manpower for warfare, as well as for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. The LPDs offered to the Indian Navy will be customized to meet specific requirements.
Navantia expects the Indian Navy to issue a request for proposal (RFP) for the project next year. The program has been on the back burner for some time due to repeated tender cancellations and budgetary concerns related to high-priority naval projects such as aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines.
Despite these challenges, Navantia remains optimistic about its chances of securing the Indian Navy contract. The company’s experience in designing and manufacturing LPDs, coupled with its strong track record in India, makes it a formidable contender.
The acquisition of four LPDs would significantly enhance the Indian Navy’s amphibious warfare capabilities. The vessels would provide the Navy with the ability to rapidly deploy and support troops ashore, as well as conduct humanitarian and disaster relief operations.
The project is also expected to boost India’s domestic defence manufacturing capabilities. The ToT agreement with L&T would enable the company to acquire the necessary skills and expertise to manufacture LPDs in India, potentially leading to future export opportunities.
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