NEW DELHI: The Indian Navy has signed a Project Sanction Order for the design and development of a 6MW medium-speed marine diesel engine with Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited (KOEL). The agreement, inked under the Make-I category, was formalized today in a ceremony held at South Block, New Delhi.
The event was attended by Secretary (Defence Production), Sanjeev Kumar, and Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan.
This project, valued at Rs. 270 crore, marks a major milestone in India’s defense manufacturing capabilities and is a step forward in reducing the country’s dependence on foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for high-capacity marine engines.
Key Aspects of the Project
The sanctioned project aims to develop an indigenous 6MW medium-speed marine diesel engine, with a remarkable 50% indigenous content.
The Government of India will provide 70% of the funding, which reflects its commitment to bolstering the country’s defense manufacturing sector. The project also includes the development of detailed designs for 3-10 MW diesel engines, which will serve as a critical component for power generation and propulsion on ships of both the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard.
For years, India has been dependent on foreign manufacturers to meet its marine engine requirements. This new project marks the beginning of a concerted effort to indigenize marine engine development, to strengthen India’s defense self-reliance.
Strategic Significance for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard
The newly developed engines will be used for main propulsion and power generation on naval and coast guard ships. These engines will provide the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard with much-needed capabilities to maintain operational readiness and enhance their defense capabilities in an increasingly complex maritime environment.
Until now, the Indian armed forces have relied heavily on imported marine engines, which has placed a significant financial burden on the defense sector and limited the country’s ability to innovate within the marine propulsion domain.
The indigenous development of these engines will not only save foreign exchange but also reduce India’s dependency on foreign OEMs.
Moreover, the project is set to contribute to the larger goal of strengthening India’s defense industrial ecosystem, creating a ripple effect across the manufacturing sector. It will pave the way for further indigenous innovation and encourage other domestic manufacturers to take part in the defense production landscape.
Supporting India’s Defense Self-Reliance Vision
The signing of this Project Sanction Order is a direct reflection of the Indian government’s dedication to achieving Aatmanirbharta in defense. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the government has placed significant emphasis on reducing the country’s dependency on foreign defense technologies and fostering domestic defense manufacturing capabilities.
The collaboration with Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited is a strong indication that India is building its technological expertise in the defense sector and expanding the role of the private sector in national defense production.
Economic and Strategic Benefits
The development of indigenous marine diesel engines will have far-reaching economic benefits. Saving foreign exchange and reducing dependence on imported military equipment is expected to strengthen India’s economic resilience.
Strategically, the new marine engines will boost India’s naval power, giving it more autonomy in maintaining the operational effectiveness of its ships.
This is particularly important as India navigates a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), where maritime security plays a critical role in national defense.
A Step Towards Greater Defense Manufacturing Ecosystem
In addition to its immediate military and strategic implications, this project will act as a catalyst for the development of India’s defense industrial ecosystem. It will promote domestic manufacturing capabilities and increase the country’s contribution to the global defense market.
With Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited, a leading player in the Indian manufacturing sector, driving this project, India is positioning itself as a hub for defense innovation and manufacturing. The project’s success is expected to inspire more collaborations between the Indian Navy, the Indian Coast Guard, and private defense companies, further driving self-reliance in defense technologies.
The signing of the Project Sanction Order for the 6MW medium-speed marine diesel engine marks a pivotal moment in India’s journey toward achieving self-reliance in defense.
