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