Article Posted on : - Dec 13, 2009

Landing Platform Dock (LPD) INS Jalashwa. A File Photo.

NEW DELHI (BNS): The Indian Navy is planning to build four new Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) which will join the fleet of its amphibious warships. Currently, INS Jalashwa is the only LPD in service with the Indian Navy.

The Navy which is in the process of receiving the proposed LPD designs will soon move the government for sanction to build these warships.

"The plan is to add four more LPDs to the fleet. These warships would operate alongside INS Jalashwa," a senior Navy officer said here on Sunday, according to the media reports.

INS Jalashwa is the second biggest ship of the Indian Navy after the aircraft carrier INS Virat.

INS Jalashwa was USS Trenton of US Navy before it was bought for USD 48.44 million by India in 2007. INS Jalashwa is based under the Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam.

INS Jalashwa is an amphibious warship with capability to board, transport and land a 1,000-men battalion including equipment and tanks. It also has competence in undertaking maritime surveillance, special operations, search and rescue, medical support as well as humanitarian aid.

The warship has significantly improved the ability of the Indian armed forces to quickly land a large contingent of troops. Addition of four new LPDs to this fleet will definitely provide more power to Navy's amphibious warfare capabilities.