Bangalore: GE Marine and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the expansion of HAL’s manufacturing capabilities to include assembly, inspection, and testing (AIT) of the LM500 marine gas turbine.
Since 1986, HAL’s IMGT Division has been providing AIT of GE’s LM2500 marine gas turbine, which is installed aboard Indian Navy’s P-17, P-17A, and IAC-1 Vessels.
The LM2500 is the world’s most popular marine gas turbine and is derived from GE’s TF39 and CF6-6 aircraft engines. As on date, HAL has delivered 22 LM2500 gas turbines for 11 Indian naval vessels.
Based on HAL’s outstanding performance of LM2500 AIT, coupled with GE Marine’s continued commitment to the Indian Navy and Make-In-India initiatives, the MOU will explore allowing HAL to perform AIT for GE’s LM500 marine gas turbine for use in an indigenous 4 mega-watt gas turbine generator for possible installation aboard future Indian naval vessels.
The LM500 is derived from GE’s CF34 aircraft engine and is installed globally in naval applications for both mechanical propulsion and power generation.
“GE has been our valued partner for more than three decades working together supporting Indian Navy fleets including India’s First Indigenous Aircraft Carrier by delivering LM2500 Gas Turbines. We are happy to see that the partnership is now at the inflection point of growth, with LM500 Gas Turbine in 4 MW category,” said C B Anathakrishnan, CMD HAL.
“Further, HAL and GE are working to enhance the Indigenous content in both the LM2500 and LM500 projects in line with the Government’s policy of ‘Make in India’ and “Atmanirbhar Bharat’,” said Anathakrishnan.
The MOU was exchanged between Mr. Youngje Kim, Vice President – Indo Pacific GE Aviation Military Systems, and Mr. B. Krishna Kuman, Executive Director (Engines & IMGT), HAL in the presence of Mr. Mihir Kanti Mishra, CEO (Bangalore Complex) HAL.
