Rolls-Royce Marine North America Inc. and Triveni Engineering & Industries Limited (NSE: TRIVENI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the development, manufacturing, and support of 4MW marine gas turbine generators (GTG) for customers in India. This partnership marks a significant step toward strengthening India’s naval defence capabilities by fostering indigenous production of advanced propulsion solutions.
The agreement encompasses the design, development, and production of marine GTGs, along with comprehensive sales and support operations. The collaboration is expected to enhance India’s self-reliance in naval defence technology and reinforce the country’s Make in India initiative.
Strategic Significance
John Shade, EVP for US Business Development and Future Programs, Rolls-Royce Defence, highlighted the importance of this partnership, stating, “Rolls-Royce has a proven legacy of powering some of the world’s most advanced naval platforms, including the U.S. Navy’s DDG-51 destroyer. India is a key strategic growth market for us, and we believe our industry-leading marine gas turbine generators are an ideal choice to power the future fleet of the Indian Navy.”
Abhishek Singh, SVP of Business Development and Future Programs for India and Southeast Asia, Rolls-Royce, emphasized the long-standing relationship with India’s defence sector. He noted, “This MoU with Triveni represents an opportunity to establish end-to-end support for our marine gas turbine generators in India, covering everything from installation and testing to aftermarket services.”
Triveni Engineering’s Vice Chairman & Managing Director, Tarun Sawhney, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “Partnering with Rolls-Royce allows us to bring cutting-edge marine gas turbine technology to India. This will not only meet the naval defence needs of our country but also strengthen our indigenous manufacturing ecosystem. With over five decades of experience in rotary engineering, Triveni is well-positioned to develop high-speed, high-power solutions for naval applications.”
Rolls-Royce’s Naval Expertise
With over 80 years of experience in naval markets, Rolls-Royce is a leading provider of power and propulsion solutions globally. Since the introduction of the Allison 501-K17 in 1972, Rolls-Royce has remained at the forefront of the marine gas turbine generator market. Today, more than 350 Rolls-Royce gas turbine generators are operational across various navies, including the U.S. Navy, British Royal Navy, Republic of Korea Navy, and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force.
Notably, the U.S. Navy’s DDG-51-class warships, the longest-running surface combatant program in its history, utilize over 200 Rolls-Royce AG9140 generator sets. The latest AG9160 generator, delivering 4MW of power, represents a 33% increase in efficiency compared to its predecessor.
Boosting India’s Naval Capabilities
In India, Rolls-Royce has built a strong aerospace and defence ecosystem. Its engines already power several Indian Navy and Coast Guard vessels. Triveni Engineering, a leader in India’s high-speed gears market, has a track record of delivering energy-efficient, high-power solutions for defence applications. The company is expanding its infrastructure, including a new multi-modal defence facility for manufacturing, integration, and testing of advanced naval marine equipment.
As India continues to push for greater self-reliance in defence manufacturing, the Rolls-Royce-Triveni partnership is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening the country’s naval capabilities. With this MoU, the two companies aim to bring world-class marine propulsion solutions to India, supporting both domestic security and international market expansion.