Despite the great interest in the application of electric propulsion to warships, there are quite few conventional surface warships with pure electric propulsion, but more are being projected.
For sub-marines, electric propulsion with diesel engine generation and battery storage, fuel cell or nuclear power plant is applied.
Electric propulsion for war ships does not conceptually differ much from the merchandise vessels, but the solutions may differ since the requirements to availability and redundancy are normally stricter.
Also, the ability to withstand shock and provide low noise signatures are prerequisites for electric drive when applied to a warship.
The K/V Svalbard, a coast guard vessel in service since 2002 for the Norwegian Navy, equipped with dual Azipod propulsion system, and partially fulfilling military requirements.
