Navantia and L&T Join Forces on Indian Navy's Ambitious LPD Programme Design Initiative

Indian Navy's LPD Programme Takes Shape with L&T and Navantia Partnership

In a significant development, L&T Precision Engineering and Systems has joined forces with Spanish shipbuilder Navantia to collaborate on the Indian Navy's ambitious Landing Platform Dock (LPD) programme. This strategic partnership, signed in Madrid, marks the beginning of a long-term cooperation between the two entities, with a focus on leveraging each other's strengths to deliver a world-class amphibious warship for the Indian Navy.

The partnership brings together L&T's engineering prowess with Navantia's expertise in designing and building amphibious warships, including the Juan Carlos I for the Spanish Navy and two comparable vessels for the Royal Australian Navy. These designs will serve as the foundation for India's LPD programme, with the proposed design drawing inspiration from Navantia's landing helicopter dock (LHD) family.

Navantia's proven designs, which have been successfully deployed in Spain and Australia, will provide the basis for its offering in India. While the companies have not disclosed a final configuration, price, or construction schedule for an Indian version, the partnership is expected to result in a state-of-the-art LPD that meets the Indian Navy's requirements.

The Indian Navy had issued a request for information in 2021, seeking proposals from domestic shipyards for four vessels. The requirement allowed Indian builders to work with overseas design or technology partners, but stipulated construction in India and a share of indigenous content. The initial information request described ships about 200 metres long, with a through flight deck and capacity for roughly 900 troops.

In a separate development, India and Britain are set to sign an inter-governmental agreement to jointly develop integrated full electric propulsion (IFEP) for four large amphibious ships planned for the Indian Navy. This agreement, which supports India's long-delayed LPD programme, will also give GE Vernova a foothold in one of the world's fastest-growing naval markets.

The agreement follows a Statement of Intent signed in Portsmouth in November 2024 and the implementation of an arrangement agreed when the two prime ministers met in Mumbai in October 2025. This partnership is seen as a significant milestone in India's indigenous naval shipbuilding journey, strengthening the country's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative by building indigenous capability for large amphibious warships.

Key Takeaways

• L&T and Navantia have partnered to collaborate on the Indian Navy's LPD programme, combining L&T's engineering excellence with Navantia's expertise in amphibious warships.
• The partnership will result in a state-of-the-art LPD that meets the Indian Navy's requirements, with a proposed design drawing inspiration from Navantia's LHD family.
• The agreement supports India's long-delayed LPD programme and strengthens the country's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative by building indigenous capability for large amphibious warships.
• India and Britain are set to sign an inter-governmental agreement to jointly develop integrated full electric propulsion (IFEP) for four large amphibious ships planned for the Indian Navy.