Navy signs agreement with Kirloskar for design, development of 6MW marine engines

A sanction order for the design and development of a 6 megawatt (MW) medium speed marine diesel engine was signed between the Indian Navy and the Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited (KOEL) under Make-I category of the procurement procedure.

”The prototype diesel engine with indigenous content of over 50% will be developed at a cost of ₹270 crore with 70% funding from the Government of India. The order also includes development of detailed design for 3-10 MW diesel engine,” a Defence Ministry statement said. The developed engines will be used for main propulsion and power generation on ships of the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard.

In this regard, the Ministry said that most of the diesel engines of higher capacity were being imported from foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) till date and this project will start the process in achieving self-reliance in marine engine development in the country. “It will further strengthen indigenous capabilities, save foreign exchange and reduce dependency on foreign OEMs. It will act as a catalyst for the development of defence industrial ecosystem in the country,” it stated.

The design and development of the project will be done indigenously by the research and development teams of KOEL, the company said in a statement.