The UK and India have signed a statement of intent to design and develop an Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) system for India’s next-generation Landing Platform Dock (LPD) fleet.
As part of the collaboration, GE Vernova and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited are working to establish India’s first maritime Land-Based Testing Facility to support the development of IFEP technology.
A joint working group between the two countries has also been formed to oversee the project.
The initiative will incorporate lessons from the UK’s advancements in naval propulsion, including experiences with Type 23 frigates, Type 45 destroyers, Landing Ship Docks, and the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier, according to UK Defence Adviser in India Commodore Chris Saunders.
Electric Propulsion
Electric propulsion offers lower emissions, noise, and vibration compared to conventional diesel propulsion. Having a quieter warship is a key advantage in naval operations.
The system is also easier to operate and more reliable, requiring less frequent maintenance and ensuring greater availability and operational readiness.
“Electric propulsion gives an improved response time during operational needs, with smoother manoeuvring and positioning – and quick response when increase in speed is required,” Saunders said.
The efficiency of modern naval propulsion technology is evident when comparing the UK’s aircraft carriers, he explained.
The Invincible-class carriers, which weighed approximately 22,000 tons, required four gas turbines and eight diesel generators for power.
In contrast, the significantly larger Queen Elizabeth-class carriers, at 65,000 tons, operate with just two gas turbines and four diesel engines, while maintaining a crew size similar to that of the much smaller Invincible-class.
India’s Landing Platform Dock
The Indian Ministry of Defence has outlined plans to acquire a fleet of four LPDs, with the first vessel expected within five years of signing the contract.
Subsequent ships will be delivered at 12-month intervals, though no official production agreement has been finalized. The goal is to deliver the first LPD by 2030.
The planned vessels were first conceived in the wake of the 2004 tsunami disaster in the Indian Ocean, during which the Indian Navy’s rescue and relief response was found wanting.
A request for information for the vessels was issued in 2011 and subsequently in 2021.
The ship’s crew capacity is 540 sailors, and it should be able to carry about 900 troops.
It is expected to be able to transport and land a combined arms force ashore and sustain its operation on land.
Apart from amphibious operations and disaster relief, the ship should be able to act as a mothership for unmanned surface vessels.
“LPDs will act as Command Centre for the Commander, Amphibious Task Force, Landing Force Commander and the Air Force Commander and also undertake Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Missions,” the request for information stated.
“Additionally, LPDs will also act as mother ships for unmanned capability and to support operation/ exploitation of all dimensions of futuristic unmanned vehicles/platforms/equipment. The LPDs will also provide medical facilities for treatment of battle casualties.”
Additional Features
Additional features include a length of 200 meters (656 feet), a range of 10,000 nautical miles (18,520 kilometers/11,508 miles) at an economical speed, and a cruising speed of 14 to 16 knots.
In terms of armaments, the ship should be armed with 32 Vertical Launch – Short Range Surface to Air Missiles and 16 anti-ship missiles.
Finally, it should have a through-deck design to accommodate at least two heavy-lift helicopters, 12 special operations helicopters, and two naval ship-borne drones.
Concurrently, it should be able to execute operations of at least four special operations helicopters.
