India speeds up work on local marine gas turbine production

India is stepping on the pedal to develop indigenous options for marine gas turbines (MGT) that power warships and submarines of the Indian Navy.

There is a sense of urgency to create a domestic ecosystem for such equipment given the war in Ukraine that has impacted Zorya-Mashproekt, the primary supplier of the MGTs to the Indian Navy.

According to officials aware of the development, public sector undertaking Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and Bharat Forge from the private sector are said to be among the companies that have been individually consulted for developing and supplying the MGT suited to the Indian Navy's needs.


"Some inputs have also been provided by the Indian Navy to BHEL to aid the development of equipment and spares," one of the officials quoted above told ET.

The Ukraine-Russia conflict has impacted supply of spares and parts for MGTs. The move to develop indigenous options is also in line with the Make in India initiative to cut down imports of defence-related equipment. Most of the navy's Russian-origin warships are powered by Ukrainian gas turbines, including four frigates that are currently on order.

A $950 million contract for delivery of four advanced Talwar class frigates for the Indian Navy was inked in 2018. India used its diplomatic might in 2019 to convince Ukraine to supply engines for the first two ships that are being made in Russia despite the Crimea crisis.

This will not be the first time MGT development is being undertaken in the country. In the early 2000s, Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) had developed the indigenous Kaveri Marine Gas Turbine (KMGT). The base frame for this was developed by Larsen & Toubro (L&T).

For the indigenously-designed P-17 and Vikrant naval vessels, General Electric LM2500 engines have been supplied by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).