India is forging ahead in its naval modernization with a bold move to collaborate with the United Kingdom on electric propulsion systems for warships. This cooperation reflects India’s growing determination to enhance its defense capabilities through international partnerships, targeting self-reliance in cutting-edge technology while positioning itself as a global military power. However, this partnership isn’t merely about technology transfer—it symbolizes the geopolitical realignment and strategic maneuvering in the Indo-Pacific theater, where naval supremacy is crucial.
The Deal: Co-Creation and Cutting-Edge Technology
Last week in Portsmouth, the Indian and UK Ministries of Defense signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) to jointly design and produce integrated electric propulsion (IEP) systems for India’s new fleet of Landing Platform Docks (LPDs). This agreement, celebrated as a “significant milestone,” underscores India’s aspiration to achieve technological self-sufficiency through its Make-in-India program.
India’s Ministry of Defense lauded the agreement as a step toward co-designing and co-producing advanced naval technologies. These systems are poised to equip the Indian Navy’s forthcoming LPDs—warships vital for amphibious operations and humanitarian missions.
Integrated Electric Propulsion: The Future of Naval Warfare
Integrated Electric Propulsion systems are the crown jewels of naval engineering. These systems, which blend efficiency with reduced environmental impact, are becoming a cornerstone of modern navies. India has already dipped its toes into this technology with its indigenously built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, though the propulsion systems were imported.
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India’s decision to fully adopt IEP for its future vessels signals a transformative shift. By partnering with the UK—a pioneer in this domain—India is leveraging British expertise to fill domestic gaps in shipbuilding technology. Rolls-Royce, a key player in this collaboration, has long shown interest in supporting India’s naval electrification efforts. In 2021, the company openly expressed its desire to work with the Indian Navy, citing its extensive experience in electrifying warships.
Strategic Implications: Beyond Technology
The India-UK pact carries implications far beyond shipbuilding. The partnership symbolizes India’s pivot toward strengthening ties with Western powers to counterbalance China’s maritime ambitions. As Beijing asserts dominance in the South China Sea and extends its reach into the Indian Ocean, India’s naval modernization is crucial to maintaining a strategic edge.
By aligning with the UK, India is not just acquiring technology—it is sending a message of intent to the global stage. The cooperation reflects an effort to position itself as a counterforce to China’s Belt and Road Initiative and naval buildup. For the UK, this agreement reinforces its post-Brexit strategy of deepening trade and defense ties with Indo-Pacific nations, a move in line with its “Global Britain” vision.
The Make-in-India Challenge
While the partnership is promising, India faces formidable challenges. Despite its focus on self-reliance, the nation’s shipbuilding sector remains heavily dependent on foreign technology. The requirement for local shipyards to construct the LPDs highlights India’s ambition, but also its vulnerabilities. Without indigenous expertise in IEP systems, the partnership with the UK becomes a necessity rather than a choice.
However, critics argue that India’s Make-in-India narrative often falters under the weight of delays, inefficiencies, and corruption. To truly capitalize on this partnership, India must streamline its defense procurement processes and ensure that domestic shipyards can meet global standards.
Geopolitical Underpinnings: India, the UK, and the Indo-Pacific
This agreement is also a reflection of broader geopolitical dynamics. The UK’s increasing focus on the Indo-Pacific aligns with India’s interests in countering China’s aggressive posture in the region. The Carrier Strike Group tour to India in 2021, during which Rolls-Royce reaffirmed its commitment to Indian defense, was an early indication of this growing alignment.
Furthermore, this partnership strengthens the Quad—an informal alliance between India, the US, Japan, and Australia aimed at ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. By integrating the UK into its defense modernization efforts, India is solidifying its partnerships with Western democracies, creating a united front against authoritarian powers in the region.
The India-UK pact on electric propulsion systems marks a pivotal moment in India’s naval strategy and defense diplomacy. It exemplifies India’s willingness to embrace international cooperation while pursuing technological self-reliance. However, the road ahead demands vigilance and commitment to overcome domestic challenges and deliver on the promise of this partnership.
As India navigates an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape, this agreement represents a strategic leap forward, ensuring that its navy remains a formidable force in the Indo-Pacific. The partnership is not just a testament to shared technological ambitions but also a declaration of shared values and strategic intent in an era of great-power competition.