Article Posted on : - Dec 23, 2014

The Rolls Royce Pegasus engine powers the Sea Harrier aircraft of Indian Navy.

KOCHI (PTI): The Naval Aircraft Yard in Kochi, one of the premier industrial establishments of the Indian Navy, has rolled out the 50th Pegasus Engine post overhaul.

The Rolls Royce Pegasus engine powers the mighty Sea Harriers, the most successful fighter of the naval air arm acquired along with the aircraft carrier, INS Viraat.

The Pegasus engines, whose original equipment manufacturer (OEM) is Rolls Royce company, is being overhauled and serviced by Naval Aircraft Yard in Kochi since 2001, before which these engines were being sent to the UK for the purpose.

In 2001, under project 'Ashok' wide ranging facilities including Aero Engine Repair and Overhaul Shop (AEROS), Pegasus Engine Test Bed (PETB) and the Centre for Avionics Repair and Software Development (CARES) were set up at a cost of about Rs 310 crore.

These facilities are supporting Naval Aviation to overcome obsolescence issues in a significant way and have resulted in foreign exchange savings of over Rs 1,800 crore to the national exchequer.

Vice Admiral S P S Cheema, Flag Officer Commanding-in- Chief, Southern Naval Command, appreciated the outstanding contribution made by the yard in supporting the fleet air arm over the decades.

According to him, Naval Aviation is set to grow in an exponential manner over the next decade and the case for upgrade of the yard with most modern equipment is expected to be implemented over the next five to seven years.