BHEL, GE Power Ink Pact For Development Of Integrated Electric Propulsion Systems For Indian Navy

State-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and GE Power Conversion on Thursday (28 April) signed a pact for development of Integrated Electric Propulsion Systems for the Indian Navy.

"The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and GE Power Conversion provides a boost to the indigenous capability in the field of advanced technology for Integrated Full Electric Propulsion System," the GE Power said in a statement.

The MoU was signed in the presence of UK Minister of State for Defence Procurement Jeremy Quin and Defence Industrial Promotion joint secretary Anurag Bajpai.

"With the signing of the MoU, the expertise and facilities of GE Power Conversion and BHEL can be leveraged for quick induction of this advanced technology, combining indigenous manufacture, by the Indian Navy, which has been at the forefront of Atmanirbhar Bharat - Make in India programme," the statement said.

"These systems provide flexibility in selection and layout of power generation equipment and drive elements with enhancement of stealth features and fuel efficiency," it said.

Keeping in mind the matured state of the technology and potential for integration, electric propulsion has been identified as a key technology for the Indian Navy on new construction platforms, the release said.

The company said that its electrical networks and equipment are capable of supporting a ship’s energy requirements, including propulsion, high-power sensors, service loads and pulse power for defence systems.

GE’s naval technologies are shock rated and proven on naval applications from 3MW to 110MW, and include naval electric motors and generators, switchboards, power converters, power management and automation and control systems, the release said.