Bharat Forge Limited, through its Aerospace division, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to establish India’s first private-sector Marine Gas Turbine Repair, Overhaul and Indigenous Development complex in Visakhapatnam. The proposed facility will come up over nearly 80 acres within the Andhra Pradesh Defence Manufacturing Corridor and is poised to become a strategic milestone in strengthening India’s defence manufacturing and naval propulsion ecosystem.
The MoU was signed by Guru Biswal, CEO – Aerospace, Bharat Forge Limited, in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu during the Aerospace and Defence Investment Conclave held at Puttaparthy. The event also marked the foundation stone laying ceremony for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) fifth-generation stealth fighter programme.
The upcoming facility will be strategically located alongside the Naval Dockyard, INS Eksila and the Headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command, creating a highly integrated ecosystem for naval propulsion support and maintenance. The project is expected to significantly reduce India’s dependence on overseas repair and overhaul facilities for marine gas turbines used in frontline naval combatants.
In the first phase, Bharat Forge will establish a comprehensive Marine Gas Turbine Repair and Overhaul complex featuring hot section restoration capabilities for blades, vanes and combustion liners, advanced component manufacturing infrastructure, a dedicated Non-Destructive Evaluation laboratory and a rapid 72-hour turnaround capability to support operational requirements of the Naval Dockyard at Visakhapatnam.
The second phase of development will focus on creating India’s first private-sector Marine Gas Turbine Development and Assembly Hall along with a fully scalable hot test cell capable of handling multiple propulsion ratings. The project also includes the indigenous development and qualification of marine gas turbines in India, marking a major step toward self-reliance in defence technology and propulsion systems.
Speaking at the conclave, Rajnath Singh stated that the projects announced during the event would support all three armed services while accelerating India’s vision of self-reliance in defence manufacturing. He noted that Andhra Pradesh is emerging as a major hub for aerospace and defence production.
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu said Andhra Pradesh is building a future driven by innovation, infrastructure and industrialisation and would play a leading role in India’s journey toward becoming a developed nation.
Amit Kalyani, Vice Chairman and Joint Managing Director of Bharat Forge Limited, said the initiative represents a decisive shift in India’s naval capability by bringing critical marine gas turbine expertise and infrastructure onto Indian soil within the private sector.
The facility is also expected to serve as a regional repair and overhaul hub for friendly foreign navies and generate nearly 750 direct and indirect employment opportunities. Bharat Forge believes the project will strengthen operational readiness of the Indian Navy while laying the foundation for a globally competitive marine propulsion ecosystem in India.
Headquartered in Pune, Bharat Forge has built a strong global reputation for advanced forging technologies and precision engineering solutions across sectors including automotive, aerospace, defence, railways, construction, mining, oil and gas, marine and power. The company operates an extensive global manufacturing network across multiple countries and offers integrated capabilities spanning design, engineering, machining, testing and validation.
The company’s aerospace division focuses on the design, development and production of highly engineered aerospace components and assemblies. Through investments in advanced manufacturing technologies, forging expertise and strategic partnerships with global OEMs and Tier-1 suppliers, Bharat Forge has continued to strengthen its role in international aerospace supply chains.
