MADRID: Navantia and L&T (Larsen and Toubro) have reached a strategic agreement to collaborate on the upcoming program for four amphibious assault ships for the Indian Navy (known as the LPD program in India).
The alliance, formalized in Madrid with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU), establishes a framework for long-term collaboration between the two companies.
The collaboration will combine L&T‘s engineering excellence with Navantia’s experience in the design and construction of surface ships and submarines, and will contribute to the development of local capabilities for the construction of large ships, while strengthening the proposal by drawing on Navantia’s extensive experience.
Navantia has extensive experience in LHD vessels, such as the Juan Carlos I for the Spanish Navy and the Canberra and Adelaide for the Royal Australian Navy. These proven designs will serve as the basis for the LPD program, which envisions the acquisition of four platforms to support India’s amphibious operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions, as well as other naval operations.
Regarding the agreement, Arun Ramchandani, Senior Vice President and Head of Precision Engineering & Systems at L&T, stated: “This collaboration brings together L&T’s extensive shipbuilding capabilities and the expertise of Navantia, one of the world’s leading designers and builders of military vessels, to support the Indian Navy’s highly complex LPD program. We are confident that this partnership will contribute to strengthening India’s maritime capabilities and advancing the country’s autonomy in constructing such complex and essential platforms.”
Gonzalo Mateo-Guerrero, Director of Operations and Business at Navantia, stated: “We are proud to strengthen our alliance with L&T. Navantia’s experience in the design and development of strategic naval platforms, combined with L&T’s engineering excellence and track record in shipbuilding, will allow us to develop the best technical solutions for the Indian Navy. Navantia also remains committed to providing long-term support to L&T, the Indian Navy, and all other stakeholders throughout the LPD lifecycle.”
