Bharat Forge Limited has signed a MoU with the Government of Andhra Pradesh to build a marine gas turbine repair, overhaul, and development facility. The aerospace division of the company will set up the complex on an 80 acre site within the state defence manufacturing corridor in Visakhapatnam.
The agreement was formalised at the Aerospace and Defence Investment Conclave held in Puttaparthy on May 19. The signing occurred in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The new facility aims to address overseas supply chain disruptions that have previously impacted the operational readiness of the frontline surface combatants of the Indian Navy.
The complex will be located near the Naval Dockyard, INS Eksila, and the Eastern Naval Command Headquarters. The first phase of the project will deliver a repair and overhaul complex capable of manufacturing components and providing a 72 hour turnaround service for the naval dockyard. The second phase will focus on establishing an assembly hall and a hot test cell to develop and qualify an indigenous marine gas turbine.
The company expects the Visakhapatnam project to generate approximately 750 direct and indirect employment opportunities. In addition to servicing domestic requirements, the facility is planned to operate as a regional maintenance hub for the naval forces of friendly foreign nations.