India & UK to ink pact, develop propulsion systems for Navy, Pg5

Key Highlights:

• India and the UK are set to sign an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for developing maritime electric propulsion systems for four Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) for the Indian Navy.
• This collaboration involves GE Vernova and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) establishing India’s first maritime Land-Based Testing Facility.
• A second IGA is anticipated for India's procurement of hundreds of British Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs) for the Indian Army.
• A Statement of Intent (SoI) for cooperation on electric propulsion systems was signed on November 28, 2024, in Portsmouth.
• The LMM procurement, valued at £350 million ($468 million), was announced during former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s India visit in October 2025.

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Detailed Insights:

• The maritime electric propulsion system, known as Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP), will power larger Indian Navy warships with over 6,000 tonnes displacement.
• Currently, Indian warships are propelled by diesel engines, gas turbines, or steam turbines, unlike the UK Royal Navy's Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers which use IFEP.
• The LPDs are crucial for the Indian Navy's amphibious operations, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief missions, and can act as command centers.
• The LMMs, manufactured by Thales UK, weigh 13kg, have a range exceeding 6 km, and a velocity of Mach 1.5, equipped with a triple-effect warhead.
• The procurement of LMMs aligns with India's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aiming to enhance indigenous defense capabilities and reduce import dependency.
• The IGA route for LMMs ensures a government-to-government supply, supporting India's air defense and fostering long-term collaboration on complex weapons.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA): A formal agreement between two or more national governments to cooperate on matters of mutual concern.
• Statement of Intent (SoI): A non-binding document outlining the preliminary understanding and intentions of parties to pursue a future agreement or collaboration.
• Landing Platform Docks (LPDs): Amphibious warfare vessels designed to transport, deploy, and support ground forces, vehicles, and aircraft for expeditionary operations.
• Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP): A ship propulsion system where gas turbines or diesel generators produce electricity to power electric motors, eliminating mechanical connections and offering operational flexibility.
• Atmanirbhar Bharat: A policy framework by the Indian government promoting self-reliance, domestic manufacturing, and reducing import dependency across various sectors, including defense.