Puttaparthy, Andhra Pradesh, May 19, 2026: In a major boost to India’s aerospace and defence manufacturing ecosystem, Bharat Forge has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to establish the country’s first private-sector Marine Gas Turbine (MGT) repair, overhaul, and indigenous development facility at Visakhapatnam.
The proposed facility, to be developed over nearly 80 acres within the Andhra Pradesh Defence Manufacturing Corridor, will be set up through Bharat Forge’s Aerospace division and marks a significant step toward strengthening India’s naval self-reliance under the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The MoU was signed by Guru Biswal, CEO – Aerospace, Bharat Forge Limited, during the Aerospace and Defence Investment Conclave at Puttaparthy in the presence of Rajnath Singh and N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Strategically co-located with the Naval Dockyard, INS Eksila, and the Eastern Naval Command Headquarters, the facility is expected to play a crucial role in supporting India’s frontline naval fleet. Phase 1 of the project will focus on establishing a comprehensive Marine Gas Turbine Repair and Overhaul complex, featuring hot-section restoration capabilities for blades, vanes, and combustion liners, along with component manufacturing, advanced non-destructive evaluation (NDE) laboratories, and a rapid 72-hour turnaround capability for naval requirements.
Phase 2 will further elevate India’s defence manufacturing capabilities with the development of the country’s first private-sector Marine Gas Turbine Development and Assembly Hall. The expansion will include a full-spectrum hot test cell scalable across propulsion ratings and, significantly, the indigenous development and qualification of a marine gas turbine on Indian soil for the first time. The facility is also expected to emerge as a regional repair and overhaul hub for friendly foreign navies while generating nearly 750 direct and indirect employment opportunities.
Speaking at the conclave, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated that such projects would strengthen India’s efforts toward defence self-reliance while positioning Andhra Pradesh as a major aerospace and defence manufacturing hub. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu highlighted the state’s focus on innovation, infrastructure, and industrialisation as key pillars driving the vision of Viksit Bharat.
Commenting on the development, Amit Kalyani, Vice Chairman and Joint Managing Director of Bharat Forge, said India’s naval fleet has historically depended on imported propulsion systems, and the Visakhapatnam project represents a decisive shift toward indigenous capability development. He described the initiative as a strategic commitment to the Indian Navy and national defence preparedness.
Marine gas turbines form the propulsion backbone of several Indian Navy surface combatants. In recent years, global supply-chain disruptions have affected repair and overhaul cycles, impacting fleet readiness. Industry observers believe the new facility could significantly reduce dependence on overseas support while accelerating domestic capability development in critical propulsion technologies.
For India’s broader manufacturing ecosystem, the project also underlines the growing convergence of aerospace, defence, metallurgy, precision machining, and advanced engineering, areas closely linked to the future growth of high-precision gear and power transmission technologies.
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