Navy Signs Deal with Kirloskar for Indigenous Development of 6MW Marine Diesel Engine.

In a major step towards reducing import dependency on propulsion systems for warships, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has approved the indigenous design and development of a 6MW medium-speed marine diesel engine.

The Indian Navy signed an agreement with Kirloskar Oil Engines Ltd for the development of a prototype diesel engine with over 50% indigenous content at a cost of ₹270 crore. Under the ‘Make-I’ category, the government will fund 70% of the project, the MoD announced on Wednesday.

The deal also includes the development of a detailed design for diesel engines ranging from 3MW to 10MW. These engines will be used for main propulsion and power generation on Indian Navy and Coast Guard vessels, further enhancing domestic manufacturing capabilities.

The signing ceremony, held at South Block, was attended by Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar and Vice Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan.

Until now, most high-capacity diesel engines were imported from countries such as Ukraine, the U.S., and the U.K. The indigenous development of marine engines marks a significant milestone in India’s push for self-reliance in critical defence technologies under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

The MoD emphasized that the project will not only strengthen indigenous capabilities but also save foreign exchange and reduce reliance on foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The initiative is expected to drive the growth of India’s defence industrial ecosystem by encouraging domestic manufacturing.

This move comes as the Indian Navy transitions from steam to diesel propulsion systems for its fleet, facilitating mid-life upgrades for enhanced operational capabilities. Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) has already begun the upgrade of the Brahmaputra-class frigate INS Beas with an imported 6MW Caterpillar diesel engine.

As of March 24, 2025, 145 projects have been undertaken under the Make in India initiative, with 171 industries participating in indigenous defence production. These include 40 Make-I (government-funded) projects, 101 Make-II (industry-funded) projects, and 4 Make-III projects involving technology transfer, reinforcing India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence manufacturing.

HBL