- TROPEX 2025 Highlights the Indian Navy’s Amphibious Capabilities Gap
The Indian Navy’s largest maritime wargame, Theatre-Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX) 2025, has placed a renewed focus on amphibious operations. However, India currently operates just one Landing Platform Dock (LPD)—the INS Jalashwa—leased from the United States. The absence of additional modern amphibious assault ships has long been a concern for India’s maritime strategy, especially considering its “first responder” role in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
In a significant development, the long-pending proposal to acquire new LPDs has gained momentum, with India and the United Kingdom (UK) agreeing to jointly develop an Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) system for the country’s future amphibious warships. The partnership also aims to establish India’s first maritime Land-Based Testing Facility (LBTF) to accelerate the development and deployment of next-generation LPDs by 2030.
This move is expected to enhance the Indian Navy’s expeditionary capabilities, ensuring rapid response to regional security challenges and humanitarian missions.
India-UK Collaboration: Maritime Electric Propulsion to Power Future LPDs
The collaboration between India and the UK draws on Britain’s shipbuilding expertise, incorporating lessons from its advancements in naval warfare technology, including:
- The Type 23 frigates
- The Type 45 destroyers
- Landing Ship Docks
- The Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier
The British High Commission in India officially announced the partnership, stating:
“On the maritime front, the UK and India have signed a Statement of Intent to design and develop an Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) system for India’s next-generation Landing Platform Dock (LPD) fleet. As the next step, GE Vernova and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) are working together to develop India’s first maritime Land-Based Testing Facility (LBTF) to ensure the delivery of LPDs by 2030.”
The landmark capability transfer will play a key role in India’s long-term goal of achieving self-reliance in naval power and propulsion technologies.
The Strategic Importance of Amphibious Warfare for India
India’s need for advanced amphibious assault ships became evident after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, when the navy realized it lacked the capability to rapidly transport troops, vehicles, and humanitarian aid to affected areas. This led to the acquisition of INS Jalashwa, formerly the USS Trenton, an Austin-class amphibious transport dock.
However, INS Jalashwa alone is insufficient for India’s growing security needs, especially with increasing maritime tensions in the Indo-Pacific. Amphibious assault ships provide the capability to:
- Transport and deploy troops, armored vehicles, and helicopters in combat or disaster relief operations.
- Project power in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), countering growing Chinese influence.
- Support naval expeditionary warfare and joint operations with the Army and Air Force.
To fill this crucial capability gap, the Indian Navy has twice issued Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for new LPDs—first in 2011 and later in 2021. The 2011 attempt failed due to disagreements between Indian and foreign designers. A fresh attempt was made in 2021, outlining new requirements for the procurement of four LPDs.
Land-Based Testing Facility (LBTF): India’s Naval Capabilities
One of the key aspects of the India-UK agreement is the development of a maritime Land-Based Testing Facility (LBTF). This specialized infrastructure will be used to:
- Test and validate Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) systems before installing them on warships.
- Simulate operational conditions, ensuring systems perform efficiently in real-world scenarios.
- Develop high-fidelity simulators to train naval personnel in handling electric propulsion technology.
Electric propulsion offers multiple advantages over conventional systems, including:
- Enhanced energy efficiency and power management
- Lower emissions and reduced operational noise, making warships stealthier
- Remote operability and automated controls, reducing crew workload
- Future compatibility with emerging clean energy sources, improving sustainability
The Indian Navy’s next-generation LPDs will be equipped with IFEP technology, similar to those used in modern Western navies.
India’s Future LPDs
The 2021 Request for Information (RFI) outlined the Indian Navy’s requirements for the new LPDs:
- Length: Approximately 200 meters
- Troop Capacity: Around 900 personnel
- Vehicle Capacity: 6 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) and 60 heavy trucks
- Helicopters: 14 rotary aircraft, including:
- 2 Heavy-lift helicopters
- 12 Special operations helicopters
- Weaponry:
- 16 Surface-to-Surface Missiles (SSMs)
- 32 Short-Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs)
- Directed Energy Weapons (lasers and microwaves) for missile and UAV defense
- Unmanned Capabilities: Deployment of aerial and underwater unmanned vehicles for reconnaissance and attack missions
Unlike Western LPDs, which typically have minimal offensive armament, India’s LPDs will feature significant weaponry to operate independently in high-threat environments.
China’s Expanding Amphibious Fleet: A Challenge for India?
China has been rapidly expanding its amphibious warfare capabilities, posing a direct challenge to India’s maritime strategy in the Indo-Pacific. The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) currently operates Type 071 LPDs, which serve as the backbone of its expeditionary warfare fleet.
Key features of China’s Type 071 LPDs:
- Displacement: Nearly 20,000 tons, larger than the US Navy’s San Antonio-class LPDs.
- Capacity: Can transport troops, armored vehicles, helicopters, and landing craft.
- Operational Reach: Extends China’s ability to conduct long-range amphibious missions.
Furthermore, China is constructing the Type 075 amphibious assault ships, with at least three expected to be commissioned by 2025. These LHD-class warships will:
- Project amphibious power with helicopter support
- Improve sea control and command capabilities
- Feature a floodable well-dock for launching hovercraft and landing craft
Future Type 076 variants are expected to be equipped with electromagnetic catapults, enabling fixed-wing aircraft operations from amphibious ships.
India’s efforts to develop its own LPDs come at a critical time, as China enhances its capability for rapid power projection in the Indo-Pacific.
India’s First Indigenous LPD by 2030
The India-UK partnership marks a major step toward strengthening the Indian Navy’s amphibious capabilities. By leveraging British expertise and investing in indigenous shipbuilding infrastructure, India aims to close the gap in expeditionary warfare and secure its position as a leading maritime force in the Indo-Pacific.
With the Land-Based Testing Facility (LBTF) set to become operational, the Indian Navy is on track to commission its first indigenous LPD by 2030. These warships will enhance India’s power projection, provide humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR) capabilities, and play a crucial role in countering Chinese naval expansion.
If successfully executed, this initiative will modernize India’s naval fleet, ensure strategic autonomy, and reinforce India’s status as the net security provider in the Indian Ocean Region.
