India and the United Kingdom are close to finalising a major agreement to jointly develop Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) systems for the Indian Navy.
The advanced propulsion technology is expected to power four upcoming Landing Platform Docks (LPDs), large amphibious ships with an estimated displacement of around 29,000 tonnes.
The agreement is seen as another major step in the growing India-UK defence partnership, which has gained momentum since late 2024.
IFEP represents a major shift in naval propulsion technology. Instead of using separate systems for propulsion and onboard electricity, the integrated system uses a central power grid to run both the ship’s propulsion and its internal equipment.
This gives naval designers greater flexibility while ensuring that power-hungry systems such as advanced radars, electronic warfare equipment and modern defensive technologies can operate efficiently alongside the propulsion system.
The proposed agreement follows a Statement of Intent signed by India and the UK in Portsmouth on November 28, 2024. The cooperation was further advanced during the fourth meeting of the Joint Working Group on Electric Propulsion in Goa, held alongside the Royal Navy’s HMS Prince of Wales carrier strike group visit.
The industrial partnership has also taken shape, with the UK’s GE Vernova working with India’s Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) to develop the country’s first land-based maritime testing facility. The facility will allow engineers to test and validate the complete electric propulsion system on land before it is installed on a ship.
All four LPDs are planned to be built at an Indian shipyard and will become India’s first large naval platforms to use fully electric propulsion. Once commissioned, they are expected to strengthen the Navy’s amphibious operations and disaster-relief capabilities, including roles currently handled by the ageing INS Jalashwa.
The IFEP project is part of a wider India-UK defence partnership that includes cooperation on jet engines for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and the procurement of Lightweight Multirole Missiles.
The growing cooperation reflects a shift from traditional defence purchases towards long-term technology development and industrial partnerships, with the UK also exploring the possibility of introducing IFEP technology to India’s existing warships in the future.
