Bharat Forge has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to establish India’s first private-sector Marine Gas Turbine (MGT) facility in Visakhapatnam. Located on ~80 acres within the Defence Manufacturing Corridor, this project aims to enhance naval self-reliance by domesticating repair, overhaul, and manufacturing capabilities. The strategic investment is expected to create approximately 750 direct and indirect jobs and serve as a regional hub for friendly nation navies.
Advancing Naval Self-Reliance
Bharat Forge, through its aerospace division, has reached a landmark agreement to boost India’s maritime defense capabilities. By establishing a specialized facility in Visakhapatnam, the company aims to end the nation’s reliance on overseas supply chains for the maintenance and development of marine gas turbines, which are the propulsion backbone of the Indian Navy’s frontline warships.
Strategic Facility Phasing
The project will be executed in two distinct phases to ensure operational excellence:
- Phase 1: Focuses on a full Marine GT Repair and Overhaul complex. This includes hot section restoration of blades, vanes, and combustion liners, a specialized NDE laboratory, and a 72-hour turnaround capability specifically designed for the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam.
- Phase 2: Establishes the nation’s first private-sector Marine GT Development and Assembly Hall. This stage will feature a full-spectrum hot test cell and the landmark development and qualification of an indigenous Marine Gas Turbine, marking a first for Indian soil.
Impact on Defence Manufacturing
The facility is strategically co-located with the Naval Dockyard, INS Eksila, and the Eastern Naval Command Headquarters. This proximity is intended to streamline propulsion sustainment and provide critical support to the Indian Navy. Beyond domestic requirements, the complex is positioned to become a regional R&O hub for allied navies, significantly contributing to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and bolstering the Andhra Pradesh Defence Manufacturing Corridor.
Source: BSE
