A proposed MAKE-I initiative aims to end India’s reliance on foreign marine turbines and build a domestic propulsion ecosystem for next-gen naval ships.
India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is preparing to review a landmark proposal that could reshape the country’s naval propulsion future. At stake is the approval of an indigenous marine gas turbine engine programme, developed under the MAKE-I category—the most ambitious tier for homegrown defence projects.
If cleared, this would mark a decisive move to localise propulsion systems for the Indian Navy’s frontline destroyers and frigates—critical assets that have, for decades, relied on imported gas turbines from the U.S. and Ukraine.
“This is not a luxury—it’s an operational imperative,” Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi has repeatedly stressed in public forums.
The Heart of the Proposal: A 24–28 MW Gas Turbine
At the core of the programme lies the development of a 24–28 megawatt class marine gas turbine, capable of powering the next generation of high-speed warships.
Marine gas turbines:
- Convert fuel into mechanical energy for propulsion and shipboard systems.
- Must operate reliably in corrosive salt-laden environments.
- Endure rapid load shifts and high-output cycles during extended missions.
Currently, Indian warships use variants of the General Electric LM2500 and Ukrainian Zorya turbines, both proven platforms but strategically vulnerable due to supply chain dependencies and geopolitical risks.
This proposal seeks to change that by building a fully indigenous engine family — tailored for Indian waters, designed for local manufacturing, and supported by Indian expertise across its lifecycle.
Multi-Agency Collaboration to Drive Execution
The programme will be executed through a tripartite collaboration involving:
- Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) – Turbine core design and R&D (DRDO).
- Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) – Large-scale production and thermal systems.
- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) – High-precision aero-engineering and integration.
Each prototype engine will be rigorously tested for:
- Thermal efficiency and endurance
- Vibration tolerance and environmental resilience
- Ease of maintenance and lifecycle cost control
Initial plans call for the development of four prototypes, enabling iterative improvements before serial production begins. Engineers will also focus on materials science breakthroughs essential for high-performance turbines.
Can India domestically master one of naval engineering’s most complex machines? The answer may shape its future in high-tech manufacturing.
Parallel Effort: Exploring Electric Propulsion Futures
Alongside the gas turbine programme, the Indian Navy is also evaluating full electric propulsion systems for future combatants. These architectures:
- Decouple turbine output from the propeller shaft.
- Allow turbines to act as generators feeding electric motors.
- Improve fuel efficiency, reduce acoustic signatures, and support energy-hungry systems like directed-energy weapons and advanced radar arrays.
This dual-track strategy—conventional gas turbines for near-term continuity and electric propulsion for future flexibility—reflects a nuanced, forward-looking design philosophy.
Why This Matters: More Than Just Engines
If approved, the indigenous marine gas turbine programme could deliver long-term operational autonomy for the Navy and a tech multiplier effect for India’s industrial base.
Marine turbines sit at the intersection of:
- Thermodynamics and high-pressure combustion
- Materials engineering and corrosion resistance
- Precision manufacturing and control systems
Mastery here could spill over into aerospace, energy, and heavy industry, making this more than a defence story—it’s a strategic industrial transformation.
“An indigenous marine gas turbine isn’t just a ship component—it’s a sovereign capability,” noted a senior retired Navy engineer.
TL;DR
The Defence Acquisition Council is set to review a proposal to develop a 24–28 MW indigenous marine gas turbine under the MAKE-I category. If cleared, the programme would reduce India’s dependence on foreign suppliers, power future warships, and strengthen domestic high-tech manufacturing capabilities.
AI Summary
- DAC to review MAKE-I proposal for indigenous marine gas turbines.
- Target: 24–28 MW class engines for destroyers and frigates.
- Programme involves DRDO-GTRE, BHEL, and HAL.
- Four prototypes planned for performance validation.
- India also exploring electric propulsion for future naval platforms.
