India Gets First Private Marine Gas Turbine Hub

India Gets First Private Marine Gas Turbine Hub with Bharat Forge and the Andhra Pradesh government joining hands to establish a first-of-its-kind defense manufacturing facility in Visakhapatnam.

The major announcement marks a significant step in strengthening India’s naval defense ecosystem and reducing dependence on foreign countries for critical marine engine support.

The project is expected to boost indigenous defense manufacturing, improve naval maintenance capabilities, and position India as a future regional hub for marine gas turbine repair and development.

The new marine gas turbine hub will be developed by Bharat Forge in partnership with the Andhra Pradesh government. The facility will come up in Visakhapatnam, one of India’s most strategic naval locations. Spread across nearly 80 acres inside the state’s defense manufacturing corridor, the project is being seen as a major boost to the country’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” mission in the defense sector.

Marine gas turbines are used to power several frontline Indian Navy warships. Until now, India has depended heavily on foreign companies for maintenance, repair, and overhaul operations of these advanced propulsion systems. The new facility aims to change that by creating domestic capabilities for repair, assembly, testing, and future development of marine gas turbines.

India Strengthens Indigenous Naval Defense Manufacturing

The marine gas turbine hub will be located close to the Naval Dockyard, INS Eksila, and the Eastern Naval Command headquarters in Visakhapatnam. The strategic location is expected to help the Indian Navy reduce turnaround time for maintenance and improve operational readiness for naval vessels.

The project will be developed in two phases. During the first phase, Bharat Forge will establish a marine gas turbine repair and overhaul center along with component manufacturing units and advanced testing laboratories. The company also plans to provide 72-hour turnaround support to the Naval Dockyard, which could significantly improve servicing efficiency for naval ships operating from the eastern coast.

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The second phase of the project will focus on creating an advanced marine gas turbine development and assembly facility. It will also include a hot-test cell for propulsion systems and support the long-term goal of developing an indigenous marine gas turbine in India. This move is considered highly important because marine propulsion technology remains one of the most sensitive and strategically critical segments in the global defense industry.

Defense experts believe the project could reduce India’s vulnerability to global supply chain disruptions. In recent years, geopolitical tensions and international conflicts exposed the risks associated with depending on overseas suppliers for critical defense equipment and support systems. By localizing marine gas turbine capabilities, India aims to strengthen self-reliance in naval defense technology.

Bharat Forge Expands Presence in Defense Sector

The project also highlights Bharat Forge’s growing role in India’s defense manufacturing industry. The company has already established a strong presence in artillery systems, armored vehicle platforms, aerospace components, and defense engineering solutions. With this new initiative, Bharat Forge is now entering the highly specialized marine propulsion segment.

The Andhra Pradesh government is also positioning the state as a major aerospace and defense manufacturing destination. Over the past few years, the state has attracted several defense and industrial investments due to its coastal advantage, infrastructure support, and proximity to key naval establishments.

According to reports, the project is expected to generate nearly 750 direct and indirect jobs. Apart from serving the Indian Navy, the facility may also offer maintenance and repair services for friendly foreign navies in the future. This could help India emerge as a regional maintenance and overhaul hub for marine gas turbine systems.

The launch of India’s first private marine gas turbine hub is being viewed as a landmark development for the country’s defense manufacturing ecosystem. It not only strengthens India’s maritime security ambitions but also opens new opportunities for indigenous technology development, exports, and private-sector participation in strategic defense programs.

Bharat Forge is one of India’s leading engineering and manufacturing companies and a flagship firm of the Kalyani Group. The company operates across sectors including automotive, aerospace, defense, oil and gas, railways, and industrial engineering. The company has significantly expanded its defense business in recent years through investments in artillery systems, armored vehicles, aerospace technologies, and advanced defense manufacturing capabilities.