India’s strategic collaboration with French aerospace giant Safran to develop a high-performance 120kN jet engine is set to provide a dual-domain advantage.
While the primary objective is to power the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India’s upcoming fifth-generation stealth fighter, the project is now being viewed as a cornerstone for the nation’s future maritime power.
Experts and officials indicate that the core technology of this aero-engine will be adapted to create indigenous marine gas turbines for the Indian Navy.
From the Skies to the Seas: The Aero-Derivative Advantage
The transition from aviation to naval use follows a proven global engineering blueprint known as aero-derivative technology.In this process, the "gas generator" or the central core of a jet engine—which produces high-velocity exhaust for flight—is modified to drive a power turbine.
This turbine converts exhaust energy into rotational torque to spin a ship's propellers.
This approach offers several strategic benefits:
- Compact Power: These units provide high energy output within a small footprint, essential for the cramped engine rooms of warships.
- Rapid Response: Like fighter jets, these turbines allow vessels to accelerate quickly, a critical requirement for modern naval combat.
- Weight Efficiency: They are significantly lighter than traditional heavy-duty industrial or diesel engines of similar power classes.
Powering the Next Generation of Warships
A 120kN class aero-engine core is estimated to produce between 25 and 30 Megawatts (MW) of power when converted for marine use.This is equivalent to approximately 33,500 to 40,000 shaft horsepower, placing it in direct competition with global standards like the General Electric LM2500 and the Rolls-Royce MT30.
Such power levels are perfectly suited for:
- Guided-Missile Destroyers: High-speed platforms requiring massive power for both propulsion and advanced sensor arrays.
- Advanced Frigates: Vessels in the 6,000 to 9,000-ton range that need sustained high-speed performance across rough sea conditions.
- Future Carriers: Potential integration into the propulsion suites of India's planned indigenous aircraft carriers (IAC-2).
Overcoming the Marine Challenge
Converting a jet engine for the ocean is not without technical hurdles.Engineers at India’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), in collaboration with Safran, must implement specific "marinisation" upgrades:
- Corrosion Resistance: Turbine blades require advanced ceramic and specialized coatings to withstand "hot-salt" corrosion caused by saline environments.
- Fuel Adaptability: Unlike highly refined jet fuel, marine fuels often contain higher sulfur levels, necessitating more durable combustion liners.
- Torque Optimization: While aircraft rely on high-speed thrust, ships require heavy low-end torque to move through water, requiring a more robust multi-stage power turbine.
Strategic Impact and "Atmanirbhar Bharat"
By co-developing this engine with 100% Transfer of Technology (ToT) and shared Intellectual Property (IP), India is breaking a decades-long reliance on foreign propulsion systems.This move ensures that the Indian Navy will no longer be vulnerable to external supply chain disruptions or sanctions.
Currently, the Indian Navy is also advancing other indigenous "Move" category projects, such as the 6 MW V12 diesel engine by Kirloskar.
However, the Safran-GTRE 120kN partnership represents the "heavyweight" end of this spectrum, promising to give India the sovereign capability to power its most potent frontline surface combatants for the next several decades.
