Defence ministry today cleared a mega naval project worth over Rs 20,000 crore for four Landing Platform Docks (LPD) also known as amphibious assault ships.

LPDs are warfare ship that helps armed forces to transport troops defence equipment, helicopters and amphibious vehicle into a war zone by sea.

Each of these four ships will weigh in the range of 30,000 and 40,000 tonnes. Once built and deployed, they will be the biggest battle ships to be built in India after the under-construction aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. These warfare ships will enhance India's ability to conduct sea-borne offensives in enemy areas. The ships have a huge lower decks that can be opened as a bridge to accommodate landing of tanks, defence cargo, as well as troops from sea to land. These ships do not require docking and can easily return as they can stay in sea uninterrupted for months depending upon their capacity.

Source: Economictimes.com