Update On Development Of Electric Propulsion System For Indian Warships: UK Sends Letter Of Intent After Rajnath Singh's Visit

India is planning to develop an electric propulsion system for its domestic warships with the UK's help. Centre's talks are going on with the UK government over the possibility of an agreement.

A letter of intent was sent by the UK last month for a government-to-government agreement, where the UK will develop the capability in India, according to officials quoted by The Indian Express.

This is important because currently, India has warships powered by diesel engines, gas turbines or steam turbines. With an electric propulsion system, larger warships with a displacement of over 6,000 tonnes can be powered.

While the formal proposal is being examined now, the contours and conditions of the agreement will be finalised after it is accepted. Training, equipment and infrastructure aspects are also expected to be covered.

UK’s GE Power Conversion and India's state-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) will collaborate for the development of the electric propulsion system after signing the agreement.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between them for development of the 'Integrated Full Electric Propulsion System'.

The development gained momentum after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to the UK in January. A joint electronic propulsion working group set by both countries then met in February.

After development, the system will first be tested on landing platform docks and next-generation destroyers in India. In UK, The Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers are integrated full electric propulsion vessels.