Indian Navy Expands Amphibious and ASW Capabilities with New LPDs, Torpedoes, and Naval Guns

India is accelerating its maritime modernization with a multi-pronged acquisition plan that includes new Landing Platform Docks (LPDs), lightweight torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), and advanced naval gun systems. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved these procurements under the ‘Buy (Indian)’ category to bolster the Indian Navy’s power projection and littoral combat capabilities.

Strategic Shift Toward Amphibious Warfare

The DAC’s approval of four Landing Platform Docks marks a significant step in addressing the Indian Navy’s long-standing capability gap in amphibious operations. These LPDs will be acquired under the ‘Buy (Indian)’ category, ensuring domestic shipyards lead construction with indigenous systems integration.

While specific platform details remain undisclosed as of October 2025, industry sources suggest that Larsen & Toubro (L&T) is a leading contender based on its prior experience with the INS Jalashwa upgrade and its partnership with foreign OEMs like Navantia. The LPDs are expected to displace over 20,000 tonnes each and feature well decks for landing craft air cushion (LCAC), hangars for multi-role helicopters such as MH-60R or HAL Dhruv variants, and command-and-control suites compatible with network-centric operations.

These platforms will significantly enhance India’s expeditionary posture in the Indo-Pacific. In addition to humanitarian assistance/disaster relief (HADR) missions—an increasingly visible role for the Indian Navy—the LPDs will provide critical sealift capacity for amphibious brigades such as those under Andaman & Nicobar Command or Southern Naval Command.

Lightweight Torpedoes for Enhanced ASW Reach

The DAC also cleared procurement of state-of-the-art lightweight torpedoes designed primarily for deployment from surface vessels and ASW helicopters. While official specifications were not released publicly, defense sources indicate that this may involve an expanded order of DRDO-developed TAL Shyena torpedoes or an upgraded variant thereof.

• Caliber: 324 mm
• Range: ~19 km
• Speed: >33 knots
• Guidance: Active/passive acoustic homing

The Shyena is already operational on platforms like Kamorta-class ASW corvettes and P-8I Poseidon aircraft via sonobuoy cueing. However, recent Chinese submarine activity in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea has increased demand for more robust ASW coverage. These new torpedoes are expected to be integrated into rotary-wing platforms such as MH-60R Seahawks—24 of which are being inducted via FMS route—and potential future UAV-based ASW concepts.

Naval Gun Systems: Upgrading Surface Combatant Firepower

The third leg of this acquisition tranche involves modern naval gun systems aimed at improving close-in defense and surface engagement capabilities. While no OEM was named officially by MoD or DAC statements, industry watchers anticipate a mix of upgrades to existing OTO Melara 76mm Super Rapid guns as well as possible induction of indigenous solutions developed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) or Advanced Weapons & Equipment India Limited (AWEIL).

The new guns are likely intended for frontline frigates such as Project 17A Nilgiri-class ships or upcoming Next Generation Corvettes. Key desired features include:

• High rate-of-fire (>120 rpm)
• Ammunition versatility: HE-FRAG rounds plus programmable airburst munitions
• C4ISR integration: Full compatibility with CMS-17 combat management system

This move also aligns with India’s broader goal to reduce reliance on foreign-origin weapons systems by fostering indigenous R&D pipelines supported by DRDO labs like ARDE Pune.

‘Buy Indian’ Category: Strategic Industrial Implications

The procurement approvals fall under India’s ‘Buy (Indian)’ category—a classification that mandates at least 50% indigenous content by value. This ensures greater involvement from domestic players across shipbuilding (e.g., Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd., Garden Reach Shipbuilders), electronics integration firms like BEL and Data Patterns, and private sector primes like L&T Defence.

This policy approach supports India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative while reducing supply chain vulnerabilities exposed during COVID-era disruptions. Moreover, it opens opportunities for joint ventures involving foreign technology transfer—particularly relevant in complex systems like amphibious assault ships where India lacks prior full-scale production experience.

Tactical Implications Across Maritime Domains

The combined effect of these acquisitions is a notable enhancement in India’s maritime posture across several domains:

• Littoral dominance: With LPDs enabling troop landings supported by naval gunfire support.
• Undersea warfare: Lightweight torpedoes expand kill chains against SSK/SSN threats within EEZ boundaries.
• Crisis response agility: Rapid deployment capability via LPDs enhances HADR missions amid regional instability.

Taken together with ongoing programs such as Project-75I submarines and MQ-9B SeaGuardian UAV acquisitions, these new platforms reflect a doctrinal shift toward distributed maritime operations backed by credible deterrence assets across all spectrums—surface, sub-surface and aerial domains.

Next Steps: Tendering Timelines and Industry Watchpoints

The DAC clearance now moves these programs into issuance of RFPs/RFIs over the next two quarters. For the LPD program specifically—a process delayed since early concept proposals in mid-2010s—the release of formal RFP will be closely watched by both domestic yards and global OEM partners eyeing co-development roles.

A key watchpoint remains how cost-sharing models evolve between MoD funding lines versus private capital from Tier-I suppliers like L&T or Reliance Naval Engineering Ltd., especially given budget constraints amid parallel capital-intensive projects such as aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines.