The Centre and the UK government are discussing the possibility of an agreement to develop an electric propulsion system in India to power domestic warships.
India, UK Closer To Pact On Electric Propulsion System For Warships
The Centre and the UK government are discussing the possibility of an agreement to develop an electric propulsion system in India to power domestic warships. According to officials, the UK sent a letter of intent to the government last month on developing the capability in India through a government-to-government agreement.
Indian warships are currently powered by diesel engines, gas turbines or steam turbines. The electric propulsion capability is meant to power larger warships with a displacement of over 6,000 tonnes. Indian officials have been examining the formal proposal and following its acceptance, the contours and conditions of the agreement will be finalised. The pact will also cover aspects such as training, equipment and infrastructure.
Once the agreement is signed, officials said, the key capability will be developed through a collaboration between the UK’s GE Power Conversion and state-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL). Both companies have signed a MoU on developing the ‘Integrated Full Electric Propulsion System’. The UK Royal Navy’s The Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers are integrated full electric propulsion vessels. In India, it is learnt that the system will first be tested on landing platform docks and next-generation destroyers.
In February, the UK’s First Sea Lord and CONS Admiral Ben Key said he has been in talks with CONS Admiral R Hari Kumar about opportunities for Indian sailors and engineers to come to the UK and see how they operate electric propulsion ships, emphasising that the move is gathering momentum despite hurdles. Both countries have set up a joint electronic propulsion working group that met in the UK in February. A delegation met again on the HMS Lancaster in March last year when the Royal Navy frigate made a port call at Kochi.
A joint working group on the India-UK electric propulsion capability partnership had met for the second time in November last year to further discuss this. In April last year, UK’s Chief of the Defence Staff, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin had said that India and the UK are holding detailed discussions over sharing technical knowhow and experience on these systems.
The UK values its relationship with India just more than trade and India regards the UK as an important player in world politics and development. There is a convergence of views on global issues. Both believe in rule based international order. UK is the permanent member of the UNSC and supports India for its permanent membership. Both support the development in west Asia.
To advance trade and investment relations, they have formally launched negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) in January 2022.
The UK is the 7th largest export destination for India.
India is also the 2nd largest source of FDI for the UK.
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