India and the UK are preparing to deepen defence technology cooperation through a proposed agreement on electric propulsion systems for Indian Navy warships.
India and the United Kingdom are set to deepen their defence partnership with a proposed Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) on maritime electric propulsion systems for the Indian Navy. The cooperation is expected to support the development of advanced propulsion technology for four Landing Platform Docks (LPDs), strengthening India's capability to design and build sophisticated naval platforms domestically.
The proposed arrangement comes as India continues to expand its indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities while seeking access to advanced technologies through strategic international partnerships.
Four LPDs in Focus
The proposed agreement will cover the development of Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) systems for four Landing Platform Docks planned for the Indian Navy.
An integrated electric propulsion architecture can allow electricity generated onboard a vessel to be distributed across propulsion and other high-power systems. Such an approach can provide greater flexibility for integrating advanced sensors, electronic warfare equipment and other power-intensive technologies on future warships.
The four LPDs are planned to be built in India, making the programme significant for the country's wider naval shipbuilding ambitions.
GE Vernova and BHEL
Britain's GE Vernova and India's Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) are expected to play key roles in the technology programme.
The two companies are working towards establishing a maritime land-based testing facility in India. Such a facility would allow the propulsion architecture to be developed and tested on land before its integration into naval vessels.
The testing infrastructure could also help Indian engineers and shipbuilders build greater experience with complex electric propulsion systems.
Cooperation Began in 2024
The India-UK electric propulsion initiative dates back to November 2024.
On November 28, 2024, in Portsmouth, India's Ministry of Defence and the UK's Ministry of Defence signed a Statement of Intent on Cooperation on Design & Development of Electric Propulsion Systems for Indian Navy.
The statement was aimed at establishing cooperation for the co-design, co-creation and co-production of electric propulsion systems for future Indian naval vessels.
The two countries subsequently reaffirmed their intention to finalise an inter-governmental agreement on Maritime Electric Propulsion Systems in their October 2025 joint statement.
Boost for Warship Technology
Electric propulsion is increasingly important for modern naval platforms that require large amounts of onboard electrical power.
An integrated electric architecture can provide greater flexibility in power generation and distribution. This can become particularly valuable as warships incorporate increasingly sophisticated radar systems, electronic warfare equipment, sensors and other high-energy technologies.
For India, developing such systems domestically could reduce dependence on foreign suppliers for critical naval technologies while strengthening the country's broader warship-building ecosystem.
Push for Self-Reliance
The proposed India-UK cooperation fits into India's wider Atmanirbhar Bharat defence strategy.
Rather than limiting cooperation to equipment purchases, India has increasingly sought partnerships involving technology development, manufacturing and industrial participation.
The India-UK Vision 2035 also identifies defence and security as an important area for deeper strategic cooperation, including collaboration in advanced defence technologies and maritime electric propulsion.
The two countries have also committed to expanding their defence industrial relationship through a long-term roadmap covering technology, manufacturing and industrial cooperation.
Broader Defence Partnership
The propulsion programme is part of a wider expansion of India-UK defence ties.
The partnership increasingly covers joint development, industrial cooperation and advanced military technologies alongside traditional military exercises and equipment procurement.
The two countries have also discussed cooperation in areas including complex weapons systems and defence manufacturing. In October 2025, the UK announced a £350 million agreement for Lightweight Multirole Missile systems for the Indian Armed Forces.
The developments indicate a gradual shift towards deeper technology and industrial collaboration between the two countries.
What Happens Next
The immediate focus will be on the proposed India-UK Inter-Governmental Agreement covering maritime electric propulsion.
Once the agreement is formally concluded, work can progress on the development, testing and eventual integration of the propulsion architecture for the four planned LPDs.
For India, the programme has significance beyond a single naval project. Successful development and testing could help create domestic expertise in advanced electric propulsion and potentially support its adoption across future large naval platforms.
The initiative therefore combines two strategic priorities: strengthening the Indian Navy's technological capabilities and expanding India's domestic defence-industrial base.
