The Ministry of Defence has approved the establishment of a new Land-Based Testing Facility (LBTF) for electric propulsion systems, which will be used to test indigenous marine engines and electric propulsion systems for future Indian Navy warships. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the ministry's apex decision-making body, cleared the proposal on July 4, 2026.
Critical Testing for Naval Platforms
According to sources, the testing facility is a critical component of the programme as marine engines must undergo extensive real-time testing across multiple iterations and under varied operating conditions before they can be integrated into naval platforms. The facility will enable comprehensive validation of electric propulsion systems developed indigenously.
India-UK Collaboration on Electric Propulsion
This development comes amid India's ongoing collaboration with the UK to develop and manufacture advanced marine engines. In 2022, India and the UK announced a partnership on electric propulsion capability following a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The two countries issued a joint statement announcing the formation of a joint working group to promote military and industrial collaboration in maritime electric propulsion systems.
Industry Partnerships and Milestones
Later in 2022, Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with GE Power Conversion to advance cooperation in electric propulsion. GE Power Conversion has played a key role in developing the UK's electric propulsion capability, which is currently deployed on Royal Navy destroyers and aircraft carriers.
In November 2024, the defence ministries of India and the UK signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) on cooperation in the design and development of electric propulsion systems. The SoI provides a framework for collaboration in the co-design, co-development, and co-production of electric propulsion capabilities for future naval platforms. The Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) planned to be constructed at an Indian shipyard are expected to be equipped with a full electric propulsion system.
Strategic Implications
The approval of the testing facility marks a significant step towards self-reliance in naval propulsion technology, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and enhancing the Indian Navy's operational capabilities. The facility will support the development of indigenous marine engines, aligning with the government's 'Make in India' initiative and strengthening India's defence industrial base.
