Indian Navy Multi-Role Support Vessel programme

Multi-Role Support Vessel

Sponsor
Indian Navy	The Indian has stated a need for 4 MRSV's.
Contenders
DCNS/ARMARIS	(21,300 tons) Mistral LHD
Fincantieri	(20,000 tons) Mutifunctional Ship [LHD]
Navantia	(27,079 tons) Juan Carlos I LHD
Hanjin Heavy Industries	(14,500-18,800 tons) Dokdo class assault landing ship
Speculated Contenders
BAE Systems	(21,578 tons) Ocean Class LHD
Raytheon	(25,000 tons) San Antonio-class LPD
ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems	(15,000 tons) MHD-150
Schelde Naval Shipbuilding	(16,160 tons) Enforcer LPD
Total Project Cost
160 billion (US$2.6 billion)
as of 2011

In 2011, India's Ministry of Defense finalized a project for the procurement of four Amphibious Warship (also referred to as "Multi-Role Support Vessel") in order to upgrade the nation's disaster response capabilities along with boosting amphibious warfare and island protection capabilities. Lately, as a precautionary measure against People's Republic of China's naval presence in the Indian ocean, acquiring amphibious warfare ships and aircraft carriers has become a top priority for Indian Navy. Consequently, Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) is being developed into a major Amphibious Warfare Hub for Indian Navy and it is considered crucial to counter China's strategic moves in the Indian Ocean as well as ensure security of these sea lanes.

As of 2011, reports pointed to the fact that India is looking for up to 4 LHD type aviation & amphibious ships, with most designs to come from foreign firms.

As of November 2013 The Defence Ministry has issued a tender for building warships which can carry helicopters. The tender was issued as part of efforts by the government to build the capabilities of the indigenous industry.

Minimum Criteria

Although moderately flexible, the basic criteria are:

1. Size: Has to be comparable to or bigger than INS Jalashwa.
2. Aviation facilities: landing spots for 5-6 helicopters and an aviation deck to carry 10 Heavy Helicopters.
3. Storage Space: Enough room for one battalion of 1,000 fully armed soldiers or a squadron of tanks.
4. Weapons carrying capability: Must be able to carry heavy weapon systems and infantry combat vehicles.
5. Range: Must be capable of covering large distances [10,000 kilometres (6,200 mi) or more].
6. Special Features: Specialized areas from hospital facilities to naval command centers.

Reported Contenders

Name	Displacement (Tons)	Aircraft carried	Extended Deck	Range(Km)	Troops
Mistral	21,300	16 heavy or 35 light helicopters	Yes	19,800	900 marines
Multifunctional Ship	20,000	up to 6 helicopters EH-101/Merlin type	Yes	13,000	950 Marines
Juan Carlos I	27,079	Up to 30 aircraft (including AV-8B Harrier II, F-35 (planned), CH-47, Sea King, NH-90)	Yes (with Ski jump)	17,000	913 marines
ROKS DOKDO	18,800	Up to 15 helicopters (15 UH-60 Black Hawk or 10 SH-60F Ocean Hawk helicopters)	Yes	10,000	720 marines
Ocean Class	21,500	Up to 18 helicopters (typically Westland Commando and Lynx but also Merlins, Boeing Chinooks, Westland Apache)	Yes	15,000	900 Marines
San Antonio-class	25,000	4 Helicopters	No	?	800 marines

Mistral LHD (France)

DCNS/Armaris's contender is the Mistral Class. The ships in this class are generally able to carry around 900 armed troops and 16 heavy or 35 light helicopters. These ships are also about to be exported to India’s another ally and weapons supplier, Russia. Should India be willing to use Russian weapons on these ships, it may allow for common modifications. France’s DCNS is currently India’s shipbuilding partner for its new Scorpene Class diesel electric fast attack submarines. The Mistral meets every criteria for the MRSV project.

Multifunctional Ship LHD (Italy)

Indian Navy recently received the first Deepak class fleet tanker by Italy’s Fincantieri which is currently working with India to build the Vikrant class aircraft carrier. Although Fincantieri has a history of naval industrial relations with India, it is yet to fully develop a ship that fits the criteria for Multi-Role Support Vessel. However, according to their website, Fincantieri is fully capable of manufacturing a vessel which they list as a 20,000 tonne "Multifunctional ship". This ship is purported to be suitable for the "MRSV" title.

Juan Carlos I Class (Spain)

Navantia's Strategic Projection Vessel

Navantia built the Juan Carlos I LHD for the Spanish Navy, and is building two similar ships for the Australian Navy. It is also a strong contender for the title of "Multi-Role Support Vessel" as it meets each criterion perfectly. With its ski jump for STOVL operations, it is conceptually similar to a Wasp Class LHD. Nonetheless, if India would be willing to compromise with a smaller vessel or LPD, then this would expand Navantia's scope for including Galicia Class LPD which was co-developed with Royal Schelde.

DOKDO Class Amphibious Warfare Vessel

Dokdo Class LPH

The Dokdo class vessel is from Hanjin Heavy Industries, South Korea. Dokdo (LPH 6111) is presently the lead ship of the "LPX" class of amphibious warships of the Republic of Korea Navy. The DOKDO class is generally listed as "Landing Platform Helicopter" or LPH but it has an extended deck that can launch boats and amphibious vehicles, just like the Mistral class LHD and Strategic Projection Ships.

Unconfirmed/Speculated Contenders

There are some unconfirmed reports that state that the following LHDS could also be enlisted as contenders in the near future.

BAE Systems (UK)

India is BAE Systems' newest home market. The company is committed to major investments in India and technology transfer with a goal to become a key player in the Indian defense sector. It is reported that they are weighing their options for participating in this competition. Although it doesn't meet some requirements, they are likely to offer the Ocean Class LPH in this competition.

Raytheon (USA)

There are some speculations, though not confirmed, that Raytheon may seek to partake in the competition by offering the sale of San Antonio class LPD designs to India.

ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (Germany)

There are reports claiming that ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems maybe willing to offer MHD-150.

Schelde Naval Shipbuilding

The jointly developed Rotterdam/Galicia class LPDs by the Schelde Naval Shipbuilding of the Netherlands and Navantia of Spain, are called the Enforcer class for export.

Future Manufacturer

Reportedly, the winning design will be built by Hindustan Shipyard (HSL) as well as private shipyards, in collaboration with a foreign manufacturer.

See also

• Indian Navy
• INS Jalashwa
• Juan Carlos I
• Mistral Class

External links

• Specifications for Multifunctional Ship
• 41 photographs Juan Carlos I (L61) launch in Revista Naval (Spanish)