Article Posted on : - Oct 18, 2024

Six LM2500 marine gas turbine engine kits will be delivered by GE Aerospace for assembly and test by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Industrial and Marine Gas Turbine Division in Bangalore, India. (Photo: GE Aerospace)

EVENDALE, OHIO (BNS): US’s GE Aerospace will provide the LM2500 marine gas turbine engines to power Indian Navy’s Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMV) being built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) in Kochi, India.

Six LM2500 marine gas turbine engine kits will be delivered by GE Aerospace for assembly and test by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Industrial and Marine Gas Turbine Division in Bangalore, India.

Additionally, GE Aerospace will be supplying its composite base and enclosure, and full complement of gas turbine auxiliary systems, the Ohio-based company announced on Thursday.

The engines will power the newest addition to Indian Navy’s fleet, described as a ‘force multiplier’ for India’s naval capability.

A contract worth Rs 9,805 crore was awarded to Cochin Shipyard Ltd. in 2023 to build six NGMVs for the Indian Navy, with delivery scheduled to commence from March 2027.

The highly sophisticated warships would cruise at a top speed of speed of 35 knots and carry an impressive array of anti-surface weapons. The core of the NGMV propulsion system is the LM2500, a marine gas turbine engineered to unleash superior power while meeting stealth requirements.

“The LM2500 gas turbine's proven power and reliability make it the ideal choice for the NGMV mission. We are proud to continue our collaboration with HAL to deliver this critical technology for India's maritime defense,” said Amy Gowder, GE Aerospace Defense & Systems President and CEO.

GE Aerospace and HAL have ties in both marine and aerospace defence dating back to 1986.

HAL has assembled and tested all LM2500 gas turbines that currently power the Indian Navy's P17 and P17A frigates, as well as the IAC-1 Vikrant aircraft carrier.

In 2023, GE Aerospace and HAL signed an MOU to explore expanding their capabilities to include assembly, inspection, and testing (AIT) of the LM500 marine gas turbine. To date, GE Aerospace has delivered 24 marine gas turbine kits to HAL for Indian Navy, demonstrating strong support for Make-In-India initiatives, the company said.

“GE Aerospace has been our valued partner for several decades in the marine applications and aerospace. For various programmes of Indian Navy, HAL has partnered with GE Aerospace on the LM2500 Gas Turbine Engine. With addition of NGMV programme, our partnership will further strengthen to greater heights,” said Dr. D Sunil, Chairman and Managing Director, HAL.