The Indian Navy's recent agreement with GE Aerospace for the supply of LM2500 gas turbine engines has ignited a debate across the country, particularly on social media. While the deal aims to bolster the Navy's capabilities and promote local assembly by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), critics have voiced concerns about India's continued reliance on US defence technology amidst recent Pannun row.
This decision comes at a time when India is striving for self-reliance in defence production under its "Make in India" initiative. Many argue that prioritizing indigenous development or exploring alternatives from friendly European nations would better serve the nation's long-term strategic goals. The core issue lies in the perception that despite efforts to foster domestic production, India continues to depend heavily on foreign solutions.
The LM2500 engines, however, boast a proven track record within the Indian Navy, powering key vessels like the Shivalik-class frigates, Nilgiri-class frigates, and the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier. These engines are renowned for their reliability, efficiency, and durability, having been refined over decades of use in diverse maritime environments. This extensive experience contrasts with past issues faced with Zorya gas turbine engines sourced from Ukraine, which have suffered from reliability and support challenges, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in that region.
Proponents of the deal highlight the local assembly aspect, emphasizing its contribution to India's burgeoning defence manufacturing ecosystem. While not fully manufactured in India, this arrangement is seen as a step toward self-reliance, fostering job creation, industrial capacity building, and technology transfer.
The LM2500's high power-to-weight ratio, fuel efficiency, and ease of maintenance make it a compelling choice for a range of naval platforms. Its 30 MW power output is well-suited for frigates and aircraft carriers, fulfilling the Navy's immediate needs.
However, domestic alternatives like the Kaveri Marine Gas Turbine (KMGT), currently under development by DRDO, are not yet mature enough for widespread naval deployment. Developing a gas turbine engine from scratch is a complex endeavor, and achieving a domestically produced engine that meets the Navy's stringent requirements will take time.
European options, such as Rolls-Royce's MT30 and Siemens' SGT-500, also present challenges. The MT30, while powerful, is larger and more expensive, potentially posing integration difficulties for Indian naval vessels. The SGT-500, primarily used for industrial purposes, lacks the extensive naval track record of the LM2500. Switching to a new engine supplier would also necessitate costly and complex reconfiguration of existing platforms and infrastructure.
While acknowledging concerns about defence dependence on US, the Indian government officials maintains that the LM2500 deal represents a pragmatic and strategically sound choice in the absence of a readily available indigenous or European alternative with comparable power, efficiency, and proven reliability. The local assembly by HAL is considered a bridging gap until domestic engines like the KMGT reach maturity.
