In A First, Indian Firm To Build Gas Turbine Power Plants For Navy Warships, MoD Signs Rs 425-Crore Deal

Published 20 June 2026 · local

In A First, Indian Firm To Build Gas Turbine Power Plants For Navy Warships, MoD Signs Rs 425-Crore Deal Published By, Last Updated: June 20

In A First, Indian Firm To Build Gas Turbine Power Plants For Navy Warships, MoD Signs Rs 425-Crore Deal Published By, Last Updated: June 20, 2026, 07:21 IST The 1.25 MW marine gas turbine generators are designed to provide electrical power for critical onboard systems, including advanced weapons, sensors and combat management systems. The contract was signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh in New Delhi. (Photo: X) In a major boost to Make-in-India drive, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a Rs 425-crore contract with Pune-based Bharat Forge Limited for the supply of 12 marine gas turbine generator (GTG) sets for the Indian Navy. The agreement marks a significant milestone for India’s defence manufacturing sector, as it will see an Indian company build and deliver indigenous gas turbine-based power plants for Navy warships for the first time. The contract, signed under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020’s ‘Buy (Indian)’ category, includes a minimum indigenous content of 60 per cent.

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh was present at the signing ceremony in New Delhi on Friday. The 1.25 MW marine gas turbine generators are designed to provide electrical power for critical onboard systems, including advanced weapons, sensors and combat management systems. These generators form a vital component of modern naval warships, ensuring reliable power generation during operations. MoD signed a Rs 425 crore contract with @BharatForgeLtd for 12 indigenous 1.25 MW Marine Gas Turbine Generators for the @indiannavy. The deal boosts #AatmanirbharBharat, strengthens naval self-reliance and enhances operational readiness.Read here: pic.twitter.com/7B1zlTMN0H — Ministry of Defence, Government of India (@SpokespersonMoD) June 19, 2026 According to the Defence Ministry, the project aligns with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives by strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities in strategic technologies. “The project will enhance maritime self-reliance in critical technologies and improve the Indian Navy’s operational readiness through indigenous production and comprehensive lifecycle support," the ministry said.

The contract will be executed over a period of five years. As part of the programme, Bharat Forge will establish a dedicated integration and testing facility for the generators. The company will also participate in the design and development of larger marine power plants and propulsion gas turbines in the future. Bharat Forge said the new generators, rated at 1.25 MW, will replace lower-capacity units currently deployed on Indian Naval vessels. The company added that the project will help create a domestic ecosystem for manufacturing, maintenance and overhaul of gas turbine systems, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. Defence experts view the deal as a crucial step towards achieving greater technological sovereignty in naval platforms, while also opening the door for future indigenous development of advanced marine propulsion systems. The contract is expected to strengthen India’s defence-industrial base and support the Navy’s long-term modernisation plans with locally developed and maintained power-generation systems.