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| Boosting Naval Capabilities: India-UK Partnership in Electric Propulsion |
India and the United Kingdom are currently engaged in substantive discussions aimed at sharing technical expertise and experience concerning maritime electric propulsion systems. This partnership aims to address the future requirements of Indian warships. Additionally, both nations are exploring avenues for a training agreement to bolster cooperation within their armed forces.
- Current Status:
- Indian naval warships presently lack electric propulsion systems.
- The Indian Navy is actively seeking to incorporate electric propulsion technology into its future warships.
- Conversely, the UK's Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers are exemplars of fully integrated electric propulsion vessels.
Understanding Maritime Electric Propulsion Technology:
- Maritime electric propulsion technology replaces traditional mechanical propulsion systems with electric motors.
- This technology offers numerous benefits, including enhanced fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, improved maneuverability, and lower maintenance costs.
- Electric propulsion systems can be powered by various sources such as batteries, fuel cells, or generators and are applicable across a wide spectrum of vessels, from small boats to large ships.
Joint Working Group:
- India and the UK have established a joint electronic propulsion working group.
- The inaugural meeting took place in the UK in February 2023, followed by a delegation meeting aboard HMS Lancaster during its visit to Kochi in March 2023.
- Currently, discussions are at an exploratory stage.
UK's Expertise:
- The UK has been at the forefront of maritime electric propulsion technology development for the past two decades.
- Leveraging the strong bilateral relationship between India and the UK, there is potential to accelerate India's progress in this domain.
- The UK is keen on sharing its knowledge and expertise with India.
Potential Benefits for India:
- Accelerated development of electric propulsion technology for Indian warships.
- Access to advanced core technologies for the creation of indigenous, ITAR-free jet engines.
- Opportunity to manufacture and export Indian-owned jet engines with UK technology assistance.
Planned Military Engagements:
- The UK aims to bolster its maritime presence in the Indo-Pacific region in the coming years.
- New UK frigates, upon completion, may be deployed in the Indo-Pacific.
- Two littoral response groups are planned, one each for the Euro-Atlantic and the Indian Ocean Region.