HD Hyundai Heavy Industries has signed a memorandum of understanding with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) to collaborate on the Indian Navy’s Landing Platform Dock (LPD) project, marking a major boost to India’s naval modernization efforts. The agreement covers cooperation in project management, component sourcing, workforce training, and productivity improvements.
Hyundai’s involvement will bring advanced shipbuilding know-how and global best practices to India’s LPD program, which envisions the construction of four large amphibious warfare ships. The company said the partnership represents a strategic step into India’s growing naval defense market, with potential expansion into amphibious assault ships, logistics vessels, and other specialized maritime platforms.
The collaboration supports India’s long-term defense modernization strategy, as outlined in the Technology Perspective & Capability Roadmap 2025, which focuses on expanding indigenous naval capacity. The roadmap highlights priorities such as next-generation destroyers, nuclear-powered vessels, and amphibious landing ships, reinforcing India’s drive toward self-reliance and blue-water capability.
The Landing Platform Dock program aims to enhance India’s strategic mobility, disaster response, and power projection across the Indian Ocean. Each vessel will exceed 20,000 tons in displacement, equipped with state-of-the-art command systems and capable of deploying troops, armored vehicles, and helicopters. With prior experience in building the INS Vikrant, Cochin Shipyard is positioned to play a central role, though the LPD project has faced delays tied to budgetary and procurement challenges.
