Government has approved the acquisition of Landing Platform Dock (LPD), USS Trenton alongwith four Landing Craft Mechanised (LCMs) and associated package for the Indian Navy from the USA at a cost of USD 48.23289 million.
The ship would provide the Indian Navy enhanced amphibious capability. In addition, the LPD can be deployed for disaster relief operations. It can also function as a command and control platform during mishaps at sea like offshore oil installation fires and maritime air accidents.
No technical know how for the construction of such a ship in India is envisaged under the present acquisition. However, the induction of LPD would help in gaining user experience apart from providing essential design inputs for the indigenous construction of LPD.
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in a written reply to Shri Naveen Jindal in Lok Sabha today. |