India's Naval Power: The Case for Self-Built Warship Engines

India's Naval Power: The Case for Self-Built Warship Engines


India's reliance on foreign suppliers, primarily Ukraine, for marine gas turbine engines used in warships has been a longstanding practice within the Indian Navy.

However, the volatility of current geopolitical climates underscores the inherent risk of this dependence on a sole foreign source. To achieve greater strategic independence and self-sufficiency, this article proposes that India must accelerate the development of its own domestic marine engine capabilities.

The Ukraine conflict serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of relying on one source for critical defense technologies. Supply chain disruptions, potential sanctions, and restricted control over updates and repairs are all threats that could arise.

An indigenous marine engine program would shield India from such vulnerabilities, ensuring uninterrupted access to these essential warship components.

By pursuing domestic warship engine production, India would considerably bolster its strategic autonomy. Having the power to design, manufacture, and service its own engines would give India the flexibility to adapt quickly to changing maritime challenges without the limitations that come with external suppliers. This self-determination would further solidify India's role as a leading regional power.

Naturally, developing a national marine engine industry is a complex and ambitious goal. India would need substantial investments in research and development, coupled with the creation of a strong manufacturing base and the recruitment of top-tier engineering talent. Strategic partnerships between the public sector, private industry, and academic institutions would be essential for a successful outcome.
 
If we could get the KMGT going, that would help with gas turbine powerplants for smaller warships (corvette sized at most). BHEL Bhopal can still manufacture excellent steam turbines if the need exists, and we have a number of longstanding licenses to manufacture diesel engines as well, if memory serves.

It would be worth looking into if the planned 110 kN engine could be adapted for marine propulsion as well.
 
If we could get the KMGT going, that would help with gas turbine powerplants for smaller warships (corvette sized at most). BHEL Bhopal can still manufacture excellent steam turbines if the need exists, and we have a number of longstanding licenses to manufacture diesel engines as well, if memory serves.

It would be worth looking into if the planned 110 kN engine could be adapted for marine propulsion as well.
BHEL is making gas turbine since 1990.
 
Licensed "Aatmanirbhar" Make-In-India can be done just Walchandnagar Industries do for gearboxes & GRSE for diesel engines
 
India must not dependent on Ukraine or Russia anymore. Too much risk.

India should work seriously on the following three forward paths to get its own marine engine manufacturing ecosystem -
  1. India should encourage present systems to consistently produce better ones through R&D and collaboration.
  2. India should explore Kaveri Dry engine adaptation for marine engines.
  3. India should team up with GE and/or Rolls Royce for various marine engines development and manufacturing.
I am sure India can be successful in the end.
 
BHEL is making gas turbine since 1990.
Sir, the gas turbines manufactured by BHEL are primarily not of a maritime nature. That said, you raise an excellent point. If some of those gas turbines could be adapted for marine propulsion, then we'd be much better off as well.
 
Sir, the gas turbines manufactured by BHEL are primarily not of a maritime nature. That said, you raise an excellent point. If some of those gas turbines could be adapted for marine propulsion, then we'd be much better off as well.
what about the licensed GT from GE - LM2500, and we can also look for TOT, upgrades and exports, while we develop domestic Kaveri Marine GTs?
 
If not gas turbine then heavy piston engines or rotary engines can also work for smaller ships for starter.
 
BHEL can easily make gasturbine for war ships. However, due to some reason or other they are not very enthusiastic.
They detest having to work with DGQA and they aren't the only one either. Plenty of private sector companies steer clear of having to work with DGQA, which is impossible to escape if they are trying to operate within the defense vendor eco system.
 
Licensed "Aatmanirbhar" Make-In-India can be done just Walchandnagar Industries do for gearboxes & GRSE for diesel engines
Better contract Elecon Engineering Company Ltd. for gear boxes. having already supplied gearboxes for our INS Vikramaditya, they have much more expertise than Walchand industries. Walchand on the other hand is a great company however their specialty lies elsewhere where there are no options. They have worked on fabricating PWR for nuclear submarines and are great at integrating complex engineering systems.
 
Better contract Elecon Engineering Company Ltd. for gear boxes. having already supplied gearboxes for our INS Vikramaditya, they have much more expertise than Walchand industries. Walchand on the other hand is a great company however their specialty lies elsewhere where there are no options. They have worked on fabricating PWR for nuclear submarines and are great at integrating complex engineering systems.
Ab chahe L&T ko mile ya Walchand ko ya Elecon... jab tak commercial shipbuilding & shipping develop aur mature na ho, tab tak yeh sab low-level technical overhaul aur assembling hi karenge. They will not be rise up the ladder like Bergen, Wartsila, MAN, Pielstick.....
 
Ab chahe L&T ko mile ya Walchand ko ya Elecon... jab tak commercial shipbuilding & shipping develop aur mature na ho, tab tak yeh sab low-level technical overhaul aur assembling hi karenge. They will not be rise up the ladder like Bergen, Wartsila, MAN, Pielstick.....
Actually I sort of remember Kirloskar is qualified to produce Pielstick engines and they do produce them under license.
 
All these needs full funding ,with very low defense budget , all these things are luxury for us.
When parties are falling on each other for giving freebies to win election, who cares for research and development , autonomy.
Here political parties want nation to be poor and dependent on their doles for winning election and Indian people also are very happy for freebies.
Its not in Indian people DNA to think big, to aspire to become great power otherwise how could have we had been ruled for 1000 years.
 
what about the licensed GT from GE - LM2500, and we can also look for TOT, upgrades and exports, while we develop domestic Kaveri Marine GTs?
As you mentioned, Sir, those are under license, and therefore not truly indigenous. With the Navy poised for a major expansion over the next decade or two, it will be far better and far more cost effective to have a truly indigenous marine propulsion system.
 
We have simpsons,Kirloskar,Tata Cummins,Escorts, Mahindras etc who can be short listed to produce such engines even with TT from foreign suppliers like Fuji,Skoda,Sulzer,Hyundaietc
 

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