India-UK Progress Towards Agreement on Electric Propulsion Systems for Warships

India and the United Kingdom are nearing an agreement that would bring advanced electric propulsion technology to the Indian Navy. The potential pact would see the development of an electric propulsion system within India for use in larger domestic warships.

Currently, Indian warships rely on traditional diesel engines, steam turbines, or gas turbines for propulsion. The integration of electric propulsion systems would be a significant technological advancement, aimed at powering warships with a displacement exceeding 6,000 tonnes.

The UK government formally indicated its interest last month through a letter of intent proposing a government-to-government agreement. Indian officials are currently reviewing the proposal, and upon its acceptance, details of the agreement will be finalized. It is anticipated that the agreement will encompass elements of training, equipment, and infrastructure development.

Under the proposed agreement, a collaboration between the UK's GE Power Conversion and India's state-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) would lead the development of this key capability. The companies have already signed a memorandum of understanding outlining their joint work on an "Integrated Full Electric Propulsion System."

The UK Royal Navy's Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers are prime examples of modern warships employing integrated full electric propulsion vessels. In India, plans are underway to initially test the system on landing platform docks and future next-generation destroyers.

Talks on the development of this system gained momentum during Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to the UK earlier this year. UK Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Ben Key has indicated opportunities for Indian personnel to gain experience operating electric propulsion ships in the UK, highlighting the project's growing importance.

India and the UK have established a joint electronic propulsion working group, demonstrating their commitment to this collaboration. Further discussions continue in pursuit of a finalized India-UK electric propulsion capability partnership.

 

[sanket]

Very Good News, If this is true then RR might b front Runner for Aero-Engine development too.

 

[Kira]

Very Good News, If this is true then RR might b front Runner for Aero-Engine development too.

It's usually a good idea to split such key endeavours between different nations like UK for maritime engines and the US for aerospace engines,of course all depending on what they bring to the table from a technical perspective.Although is always a good idea to NOT put all your eggs in a single basket 🧺 if it's feasible to do so.

 

[Avada kedavra]

Are they altering about full EV style ship or a hybrid one?
Full EV is impossible.

 

[Pink Panther]

Are they altering about full EV style ship or a hybrid one?
Full EV is impossible.

Hybrid type arrangement, that is becoming norm in all the private yachts nowadays, British started applying that to Naval ships few years ago, it is Diesel electric hybrid, same setup like petrol hybrid.

 

[Avada kedavra]

Hybrid type arrangement, that is becoming norm in all the private yachts nowadays, British started applying that to Naval ships few years ago, it is Diesel electric hybrid, same setup like petrol hybrid.

So now we need british expertise to get this done?
Why?
What are all the IITs and NIT graduates doing?
What was the point of studying 12+ hours everyday?

 

[Hari Sud]

No joint venture until England clarifies its support in Khalistani insurgency.

 

[Pink Panther]

So now we need british expertise to get this done?
Why?
What are all the IITs and NIT graduates doing?
What was the point of studying 12+ hours everyday?

Hybridization is not easier for more heavier applications, to move something that is 6000t or more, lot needs to happen for electric propulsion and the ICU to decide when to switch from conventional power to electric and efficient storage of electric energy, it is not as simple as it sounds.