India, UK sign agreement on electric propulsion to power naval ships

The Statement of Intent would serve as a broader framework intended for cooperation in the co-design, co-creation and co-production of electric propulsion capability for future naval ships.

New Delhi: India and UK have signed a broad framework agreement to jointly develop and build an electric propulsion system for big naval ships that will be constructed in Indian shipyards, official sources said here on Friday.

As per the pact – signed at Portsmouth on Nov 28 – the new propulsion system will be used to power a type of large warships known as Landing Platform Docks that will be made in India.

“The statement of intent will serve as a broader framework intended for cooperation in the co-design, co-creation and co-production of electric propulsion capability for future naval ships. The landing platform docks, planned to be built at an Indian Shipyard, are envisaged to have a full electric propulsion system,” a defence ministry spokesperson said.

The Indian Navy currently operates only one LPD (INS Jalashwa), but plans to make four such ships to give the force’s amphibious capability a boost.

Currently, Indian warships are powered by diesel engines or gas turbines or steam turbines. The propulsion system – planned for bigger ships with a displacement of 6,000 tonnes – will provide a new and efficient option.

The two countries were in discussion on electric propulsion for the last couple of years through a joint working group. The agreement was signed after the third meeting of the group. Issues on technical requirements, factory acceptance test procedures, maintenance, manning philosophy and system integration requirements have already been discussed by the officials.