As per defence sources, the Indian Navy has officially advanced its ₹80,000 crore ($9.1 billion) Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) program into the technical evaluation phase as of April 2026, marking a major milestone in one of India’s most ambitious naval modernization efforts.
However, beyond its scale and cost, the program represents a deeper doctrinal shift—from traditional amphibious assault ships to next-generation “Drone Motherships.” These platforms are being conceptualized not only to transport troops and helicopters, but also to deploy unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) swarms, conduct network-centric warfare, and support expeditionary operations across the Indo-Pacific.
In essence, the LHD program signals how the Indian Navy is adapting to the realities of modern, technology-driven maritime conflict.
Beyond Amphibious Warfare: The ‘Pocket Carrier’ Doctrine
The LHD program reflects a fundamental transformation in how naval power is projected in the 21st century. Traditionally, Landing Helicopter Docks were designed for amphibious missions—transporting troops, armored vehicles, and helicopters for beach landings and humanitarian operations. However, evolving threat environments and budgetary constraints are pushing navies worldwide to extract greater versatility from such platforms.
In the Indian context, this has led to the emergence of a “pocket carrier” doctrine, where LHDs are expected to perform limited carrier-like roles without the cost and complexity of full-sized aircraft carriers. These ships can host helicopters, unmanned systems, and potentially short take-off fixed-wing platforms, allowing them to conduct surveillance, strike, and support missions simultaneously. This aligns closely with the concept of distributed lethality, where combat power is spread across multiple platforms to reduce vulnerability and increase operational flexibility. As India awaits the development of its next aircraft carrier, INS Vishal, these LHDs could serve as critical force multipliers in maintaining a continuous naval presence.
The Contenders: Navantia, Naval Group, and the Ski-Jump Advantage
The competition for the LHD program has attracted leading global shipbuilders, each partnering with Indian shipyards to offer customized solutions. The diversity of designs reflects different strategic philosophies—from pure amphibious platforms to hybrid carrier-like vessels.
| Country | Global Partner | Indian Shipyard | Design Proposal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spain | Navantia | L&T / MDL | Juan Carlos I (Ski-Jump) |
| France | Naval Group | MDL / GRSE | Mistral Class |
| South Korea | Hanwha | HSL / CSL | Dokdo Class |
| Italy | Fincantieri | CSL | Trieste Design |
Among these, the Spanish Juan Carlos I design stands out due to its integrated ski-jump. This feature enables short take-off operations for fixed-wing aircraft and future UCAVs, significantly enhancing the ship’s offensive potential. Unlike flat-deck designs, the ski-jump allows aircraft to launch with heavier payloads without relying on complex and costly catapult systems like EMALS.
For India, this represents a practical compromise—offering enhanced air power capabilities while avoiding the technological and financial challenges associated with full-fledged carrier operations. As a result, the ski-jump design is increasingly viewed as a strong contender in the evaluation process.
MUM-T: Integrating Stealth UCAVs with Naval Power
A defining feature of the future LHD fleet will be its integration of Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T), a concept that is rapidly reshaping modern warfare. MUM-T involves coordinating manned platforms with autonomous or semi-autonomous unmanned systems, thereby extending operational reach while minimizing risk to human operators.
India’s progress in stealth UCAV development, particularly under initiatives like the Ghatak program, is expected to play a crucial role in this ecosystem. Navalized UCAVs or short take-off drones could operate directly from LHD decks, conducting missions ranging from intelligence gathering and electronic warfare to precision strikes.
In this role, the LHD effectively becomes a floating drone command center, capable of launching and managing multiple unmanned assets simultaneously. This not only enhances battlefield awareness but also enables swarm-based tactics that can overwhelm adversary defenses. Such capabilities are increasingly seen as essential in future high-intensity conflicts, especially in contested maritime zones.
Bridging the Aircraft Carrier Gap: A Strategic Necessity
The LHD program also addresses a critical capability gap in India’s naval strategy. With the next-generation aircraft carrier INS Vishal still in the planning stages, maintaining a consistent carrier presence across the Indian Ocean Region remains a challenge.
In this context, LHDs offer a flexible and cost-effective alternative. While they cannot fully replace aircraft carriers, their ability to deploy helicopters, drones, and expeditionary forces makes them highly versatile platforms for a wide range of missions. When configured as drone carriers, they provide persistent surveillance, rapid response capability, and scalable strike options.
This adaptability is particularly important in the Indo-Pacific, where maritime competition is intensifying. By deploying multiple LHDs equipped with unmanned systems, the Indian Navy can enhance its operational reach and deterrence posture without over-reliance on a limited number of high-value assets.
