📍New Delhi | 27 Aug, 2026, 11:03 AM
India-UK Electric Propulsion Deal: India and UK are soon preparing to sign an inter-governmental agreement (IGA) under which Integrated Full Electric Propulation (IFEP) technology used in four landing platform dock (LPD) battleships for Indian Navy will be developed. Along with this, the deal of British Lightweight Multiroll Missile (LMM) for the Indian Army can still be knocked down soon.
India-UK Electric Propulsion Deal: What is Integrated Full Electric Propulation System?
today Indian Navy Most of the warships run from diesel engines, gas turbines or steam turbines. The engine in these systems gives strength to advance the ship directly.
The method of Integrated Full Electric Propulation (IFEP) is different. The engine creates electricity first and then gives energy to the same power ship as well as its other systems.
Simply put, the ship has a centralized power network, where the generated power can be divided into different systems as needed.
That’s why modern navys are now moving towards electric propstion. It can give sufficient energy to ship radar, sensor, electronic warfare system, weapons and future high-power technology.
Why does Indian Navy need it?
Modern warships are constantly becoming advanced. Long-distance radar, advance sensor, electronic warfare system and data processing equipment are being installed in new vessels.
All these systems need heavy electricity. Traditional engines have limitations of energy management, while the IFEP system eases ship designers.
For large warships weighing over 6,000 tonnes as per experts Electric Propulation The important requirement of the future is becoming.
Four LPD warships must first be used
India’s first use of this technology four landing platforms Dock Warships Planning to do on.
LPDs are large anfibrous warships capable of delivering troops, armored vehicles, helicopters and military equipment to the war zone of the sea.
The Indian Navy has been working on a long way to achieve such a platform. The proposed LPDs are built in a shipyard in India and plans to adopt full electric propsition architecture. (India-UK Electric Propulsion Deal)
First Trial Facility in India
An important part of this project is the creation of India’s first Marytime Land-Based Testing Facility.
The British company GE Vernova and Public Sector Company of India, India Heavy Electricals Limited (Bheel) will prepare this facility.
The whole electric propulsion system will be tested on the ground before it is applied to it. This will reduce the technical risk and check its capacity before the system is applied to the actual ship.
Started in 2024 Process
The formal beginning of this cooperation between India and the UK was on 28 November 2024. On that day, the State of Cooperation on the Design and Development of Electric Propution System for the Indian Navy in Portsmouth City of UK were knocked out on the Statement of Intent.
This document prepares a structure for co-design, co-creation and co-production between the two countries.
The joint working groups of both countries are continually discussing the technical and industrial level. (India-UK Electric Propulsion Deal)
UK has big experience
UK is counted in the world’s leading countries in the region. Queen Elizabeth Class of British Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier Fully integrated full electric props are based on system.
UK has developed platforms like Type-23 Frigate, Type-45 Distroer, Landing Ship Dock and Aircraft Carrier over the past several decades. Now the same experience is being used in cooperation with India.
While the Indian Navy is working towards becoming a modern maritime strength with around 200 warships by 2047. It requires both the construction of new warships and the modernization of old ships.
According to the British authorities, both countries are discussing the possibilities of electric propulsion based upgrades even in some old Indian naval ships. (India-UK Electric Propulsion Deal)
LMM Missile Deal Even In The Last Stage
In addition to the Electric Proption Agreement, the interaction is also moving between India and the UK with a lightweight multiroll missile i.e. LMM.
In October 2025, both countries had announced an agreement of about 350 million pounds. Now under this programme, the preparation of hundreds of missiles for the Indian Army is underway. This deal is a government level. (India-UK Electric Propulsion Deal)
What is Lightweight Multiroll Missile?
LMM is a lightweight but multipurpose missile that makes UK company Theles UK. It weighs about 13 kilograms and its marching capacity is more than 6 kilometres. The speed of the missile is close to the Mac 1.5.
It has a triple-effect warhead and proximity fuse, allowing it to attack thai-like targets.
LMM is designed for a variety of military campaigns. It can be used against light armored vehicles, tracked vehicles, military bases, helicopters and UAVs.
A merit of the missile is also that it can be stained from the shoulder launcher, tripod and vehicle based platform. It makes it easier to use in different operational conditions. (India-UK Electric Propulsion Deal)
