Spain Proposes Custom-Built Amphibious Ships to India, Includes Technology Transfer

The Indian Navy's pursuit of bolstering its fleet capabilities could receive a significant boost with a proposal from Spain.

Navantia, Spain's prominent state-owned shipyard, has expressed interest in supplying the Indian Navy with its latest offering – the multi-purpose amphibious assault ship of the Juan Carlos I class.

This development aligns with the Indian Navy's goal of acquiring new Landing Platform Docks (LPDs).

Spain's commitment goes beyond simply offering the LPDs. Amparo Valcarce, Spain's Secretary of State for Defence, has confirmed a technology transfer (ToT) agreement accompanying the sale.

This agreement falls in line with the "Make in India" initiative, fostering a strategic collaboration that would see the construction of a 26,000-ton LDP within a selected Indian shipyard. This move would significantly strengthen India's domestic shipbuilding capabilities.

The inherent flexibility of the Juan Carlos I design is of particular interest to India. Valcarce highlights how these LDPs offer customization possibilities, aligning them perfectly with the Indian Navy's specific operational requirements.

India's efforts to acquire LDPs have spanned over a decade, unfortunately marked by previous cancellations.

These versatile vessels are crucial assets, serving multiple purposes that include:

• Military Operations: Transporting of troops, equipment, and crucial supplies.
• Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Efforts: Delivering aid in times of crisis.

Navantia's proposal, with its emphasis on domestic production and customization, presents the Indian Navy with a unique and attractive opportunity.

Acquiring modern LPDs through this agreement has the potential to significantly enhance India's naval reach and contribute to regional maritime security.

As negotiations move forward, this potential collaboration between Spain and India could prove to be a major step forward for both nations.

 

[Anant]

Your point being...?

No, I am not contradicting you. You mentioned we don't have an indigenous solution for LCUs. I was only adding a corrective context to that. I do agree with the rest of your point, just not that particular (and small) part.

 

[TDKE248]

Juan Carlos Landing Helicopter Dock
Landing helicopter dock (LHD) Juan Carlos I, the Spanish Navy's biggest vessel, was launched in March 2008 at Navantia F

As well as Juan Carlos 1, Navantia is also supplying a combat ship to the Spanish Navy.
Strategic projection ship Juan Carlos I is the Spanish Navy's biggest vessel.
The ship can be used as an aircraft carrier and amphibious or relief operations: it can store at least 18 aircraft and transport civilians.

As well as Juan Carlos 1, Navantia is also supplying a combat ship to the Spanish Navy.
Strategic projection ship Juan Carlos I is the Spanish Navy's biggest vessel.
Landing helicopter dock (LHD) Juan Carlos I, the Spanish Navy’s biggest vessel, was launched in March 2008 at Navantia Ferrol Shipyard. Named after the King of Spain, the strategic projection ship has been built at an approximate cost of €360m.
The ship was designed in 2005, completed sea trials in June 2010 and was commissioned in September 2010.
The LHD has four decks – a dock and garage for heavy cargo, a habitability deck, a hangar and light cargo garage and a flight deck with a portside 12° sky-jump. The ship is equipped with four 20mm guns and four 12.7mm machine guns. An anti-missile close-in weapon system is planned to be included in future.
The LHD is a multipurpose vessel that can be used as an aircraft carrier as well as for amphibious and relief operations.
Aircraft, amphibious and relief operations
As an aircraft carrier, Juan Carlos I has a 201.9m-long and 32m-wide flight deck with a 12° sky-jump facility for VSTOL aircraft (AV-8B Plus or joint strike fighter). Apart from V-22 Osprey, AV-8B Plus, and JSF aircraft, six NH-90, six SH-3D and six AB 212 helicopters, four CH-47 Chinook and one SA spot can be operated from the vessel.
"The ship was designed in 2005 and commissioned in September 2010."
The hangar can accommodate 12 aircraft, while six aircraft can be parked on the flight deck. The ship has two elevators, with a capacity to carry bigger aircraft in the future. The vessel’s displacement for air operations is 24,660t and maximum sustained speed is 21kt.
The ship has a dock of 69.3m length and 16.8m width. Her flooding deck can carry four LCM-1E/LCM-8 + 4/6 SUPERCAT type RIBs, one LCAC and LVTs. Displacement of the LHD for amphibious operations is 27,079t, while the maximum sustained speed is 19.5kt.
Juan Carlos I is capable of transporting 144 containers as well as evacuated civilians. It has two operation theatres, a dentist’s room, a sick bay, a consulting room, a first aid room, an ICU, an injury selection area, an X-ray room, a lab and a chemist’s room. An elevator connects the dock, flight deck and cargo decks to the hospital to transport invalid personnel.
The Spanish Navy will deploy the vessel jointly with the Army. The LHD has a 1,400m² heavy vehicle garage for M-60 or Leopard type tanks. The light vehicles garage is next to the aircraft hangar, in an area of up to 2,046m².
Communications systems
The vessel has satellite, data and voice communication systems in place. The crew and the defence staff on board will be able to receive commands and communication from data links. Information can be received and sent through sensors and equipment.
The combat system has capabilities to share data with the combat systems of other units by integrating the information.
Propulsion
"The LHD is a multipurpose vessel that can be used as an aircraft carrier as well as for amphibious and relief operations."
The LHD runs on a combined diesel-eLectric and gas turbine (CODLAG) propulsion system. The electric engines are powered by one gas turbine and two diesel generators. It has an endurance of 9,000NM at 15kt. An electric propulsion system means a reduction in fuel consumption, gas emissions and noise and vibrations; lower maintenance costs; reduction of necessary space and high manoeuvrability.
Two POD-type propellers of 11MW each support the system. Similar propellers are in use in aircraft-carrier Príncipe de Asturias and the FFG frigates. Incidentally, Príncipe de Asturias is the first Spanish ship with gas turbine propulsion.
Other Navantia contracts
Apart from Juan Carlos I, Navantia built a combat supplier ship, Cantabria, for the Spanish Navy. Cantabria was launched in July 2008 and delivered in July 2010. The ship builder is working on two LHDs, similar to Juan Carlos I, for the Australian Navy.
Navantia has three shipyards in Spain – Fene-Ferrol, Cartagena and San Fernando-Puerto Real Shipyard. Juan Carlos I was built at Fene-Ferrol.

 

[Venkatakrishnan H]

India needs Spanish Juan Carlos class design under LPD programme and S-80+ class under P75I submarine programme.

Navy's subsurface and amphibious components needs improvement. Navy also needs more indegenous Jalashwa like design ships, LST (Shardul class follow on) and LCU (Mk IV class follow on).

Jalashwa is a sitting duck. We need better than those. It was only procured to understand and operate LPD's.

 

[Ramsses CDXX]

No, I am not contradicting you. You mentioned we don't have an indigenous solution for LCUs. I was only adding a corrective context to that. I do agree with the rest of your point, just not that particular (and small) part.

Our LCUs are dimensionally bigger. Compare 🇮🇳 & 🇫🇷beamwidth, draught & tonnage. We've to make new LCUs for LPD.