India and the UK have signed a statement of intent (SoI) on the cooperation for the design and development of electric propulsion systems for the Indian Navy.
The agreement, signed in Portsmouth, aims to foster indigenous development of advanced naval technologies.
The SoI was signed by Naval Systems joint secretary Rajeev Prakash, and UK Ministry of Defence Ships Operations and Capability Integration director Steve McCarthy.
This agreement is part of the third joint working group meeting of the Electric Propulsion Capability Partnership.
The SoI will act as a framework to co-design, co-create, and co-produce electric propulsion capabilities for future naval ships.
According to the Indian Ministry of Defence, the Landing Platform Docks are planned to feature a full electric propulsion system. They are set to be constructed at an Indian shipyard.
In November 2023, the second meeting of the India-UK Electric Propulsion Capability Partnership Joint Working Group was held in New Delhi. The session was co-chaired by Department of Defence Production joint secretary (Naval Systems) Rajeev Prakash and Defence Equipment and Support Ships Operations and Capability Integration director rear admiral Steve McCarthy.
The discussions focused on key aspects of the electric propulsion partnership, including the finalization of the statement of technical requirements, factory acceptance test procedures, maintenance protocols, manning philosophy, and system integration requirements.
In April of 2023, admiral Sir Tony Radakin emphasised the importance of strengthening collaboration between the UK and India in the areas of jet engine and electric propulsion technologies.
He highlighted the UK's commitment to supporting India in these efforts, offering assistance and expertise to enhance capabilities in these key sectors.
The first meeting of the UK-India Defence Industry Joint Working Group took place on the sidelines of DefExpo 2022 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Some notable partnerships between the countries include the partnership between Rolls-Royce and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to set up packaging, installation, marketing, and service support for Rolls-Royce MT30 marine engines in India.
Thales UK and Bharat Dynamics Limited have entered into an agreement to manufacture the next generation of VSHORAD missiles in India.
MBDA UK has developed a live build capability for the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile in collaboration with BDL.
Additionally, India recently conducted a successful test of its nuclear-capable K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile from the nuclear-powered submarine INS Arighaat.
