Indian Navy takes a big leap towards electric propulsion of warships

The next generation of Indian Navy warships will be powered by electrical propulsion systems. Facilities to train naval engineers to operate electric drive ships have been set up ahead of construction programmes for new warships, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command Vice-Admiral Anil Chawla disclosed in an exclusive interview to SP’s.

Integrated electric power generation in surface warships has been described as the “direction of future naval propulsion”, and this transition would mark a major technological leap. The US and UK have taken an early lead in the adoption of electrical propulsion in the Zumwalt class and Type 45 destroyers respectively, besides the Queen Elizabeth carriers and Type 23 frigates of the Royal Navy.

The new Landing Platform Dock (LPD) amphibious warships will be the first Indian Navy ships fitted with an electrical drive. “More significantly, the Indian Navy envisages electrical propulsion for its next series of destroyers, the P18, and aircraft carriers of the future,” sources elaborated.

“….(There will be ) electrical propulsion in some of our future platforms, and accordingly, facilities to train personnel in electrical propulsion have already been set-up,” Vice-Admiral Chawla told SP’s.

Informed sources revealed to SP’s that the new Landing Platform Dock (LPD) amphibious warships will be the first Indian Navy ships fitted with an electrical drive. “More significantly, the Indian Navy envisages electrical propulsion for its next series of destroyers, the P18, and aircraft carriers of the future,” sources elaborated.

This next generation of naval propulsion will enable better stealth due to significant noise reduction, lesser fuel requirement, improvement in speed, reduction in environmental risks and an increase in manoeuverability.

The shift to electric will open up new avenues for procurement of propulsion systems for the Indian Navy. Warships built in India have traditionally relied upon the Soviet legacy Zorya-Mashproekt gas turbine engines from Ukraine

SP’s has learnt that a 5 MW electric propulsion system has been set up by Siemens of Germany at the onshore training establishment INS Valsura at Jamnagar in Gujarat to familiarise Indian Naval engineers with the technology and train them to operate the system.

The shift to electric will open up new avenues for procurement of propulsion systems for the Indian Navy. Warships built in India have traditionally relied upon the Soviet legacy Zorya-Mashproekt gas turbine engines from Ukraine.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: SP Guide Publications

Leave a Comment

Recent Posts

  • News

$155M for Artillery: Armenia Signs Another Arms Deal with India

The Indian press, referring to a November 9 statement released by the local Bharat Forge…

2 years ago
  • News

2nd Order For India? After BrahMos, Vietnam May Purchase Indo-Israeli Barak 8 Missile Defense System – Reports

According to recent Israeli media reports, Vietnam is looking to acquire the Indo-Israeli Barak 8…

2 years ago
  • News

Indian defence forces to get emergency powers to acquire critical weapon systems through fast-track route

Seeking to further strengthen operational preparedness, India is likely to allow defence forces to buy…

2 years ago
  • News

We are more than prepared in cyber warfare: A retired Brigadier

As we are celebrating 75 anniversary of India’s independence, we are reminded of the sacrifices…

2 years ago
  • News

IAF to soon get 5th Gen advanced fighter jet AMCA, design revealed

India will soon have a combat aircraft rivalling Lockheed Martin’s F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning…

2 years ago
  • News

Indian P 75I submarine plan unrealistic, timelines cannot be met: Russian designers

After pulling out of the contest for new submarines required by the Indian Navy, Russian…

2 years ago