Hyderabad: Pune-based Bharat Forge on Tuesday announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Andhra Pradesh government to establish India's first private-sector marine gas turbine repair, overhaul, and development complex in Visakhapatnam. This initiative marks a significant step towards defence self-reliance.
Facility Location and Scope
The facility will be built on approximately 80 acres within the Andhra Pradesh Defence Manufacturing Corridor. It will be strategically located near the Naval Dockyard, INS Eksila, and the Eastern Naval Command headquarters. Bharat Forge stated that this project will bring critical propulsion sustainment capability into India's private sector for the first time.
Phase-wise Development
In the first phase, the complex will include a full marine gas turbine repair and overhaul unit, hot section restoration for blades, vanes, and combustion liners, component manufacturing, a non-destructive evaluation laboratory, and a 72-hour turnaround capability for the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam.
The second phase will add a marine gas turbine development and assembly hall, a full-spectrum hot test cell, and indigenous marine gas turbine development and qualification capability.
Employment and Strategic Benefits
The company expects the facility to serve as a regional repair and overhaul hub for friendly foreign navies and generate around 750 direct and indirect jobs. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu noted that the state is positioning itself as a leading aerospace and defence production hub, driven by industrial growth and infrastructure expansion.
