New Delhi: The indigenous 6 MW marine diesel engine program has received a major boost as Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited (KOEL) and Belgium-based Anglo Belgian Corporation (ABC) are reportedly in advanced discussions to work together on India’s ambitious naval engine development project.
The program aims to develop a fully indigenous medium-speed marine diesel engine for the Indian Navy and Coast Guard, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and strengthening India’s defence self-reliance goals. The project is aligned with the Government of India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision.
Details of Indigenous 6 MW Marine Diesel Engine Program
India has long relied on imported high-capacity marine diesel engines for naval vessels. To address this gap, the Indian Navy signed a Project Sanction Order with Kirloskar Oil Engines under the Make-I category for the design and development of a 6 MW Medium Speed Marine Diesel Engine in April 2025.
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The project is valued at ₹270 crore and is considered one of the most important indigenous propulsion initiatives undertaken by India’s defence sector.
What Is The Indigenous 6 MW Marine Diesel Engine Program
The prototype engine will be developed with more than 50% indigenous content. The Government of India will provide 70% of the project funding, while the remaining cost will be borne by industry partners.
The project also includes detailed designs for marine diesel engines ranging from 3 MW to 10 MW capacity. These engines will be used for main propulsion and power generation on ships operated by the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard.
Details of 6 MW Marine Diesel Engine Program
Anglo Belgian Corporation is a well-known European manufacturer of medium-speed diesel engines. According to reports, the company is in advanced talks with Kirloskar Oil Engines to provide technical expertise and engineering support for the indigenous marine engine program.
The collaboration is expected to help accelerate engine design, testing, development, and future deployment. At the same time, intellectual property ownership and sovereign control are expected to remain with India, supporting long-term strategic autonomy.
Why This Project Is Important For India
Until now, most high-capacity marine diesel engines used by India were sourced from foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
The indigenous development of these engines will significantly reduce dependence on overseas suppliers and improve supply-chain security for defence projects.
Supporting Aatmanirbhar Bharat
The project directly supports India’s broader goal of achieving self-reliance in critical defence technologies. It is expected to save foreign exchange, boost domestic manufacturing, and strengthen the country’s defence industrial ecosystem.
Benefits For The Indian Navy And Coast Guard
The new engines are expected to power future naval combatants, auxiliary vessels, and Coast Guard platforms. Having an indigenous engine family ranging from 3 MW to 10 MW will provide greater flexibility for shipbuilders and defence planners.
Improved Long-Term Support
Domestic production will make maintenance, upgrades, spare parts supply, and lifecycle support easier and more cost-effective. This will improve operational readiness and reduce dependence on foreign vendors.
Economic And Industrial Impact
The partnership is expected to create new opportunities for Indian suppliers, manufacturers, engineers, and research institutions. It may also help India build expertise in advanced marine propulsion technologies, a sector currently dominated by a small number of global manufacturers.
Industry experts believe the project could eventually open export opportunities for Indian-made marine propulsion systems in international markets.
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FAQs
The project has an estimated value of ₹270 crore, with 70% funding provided by the Government of India under the Make-I scheme.
It is an Indian Navy-led project to develop a domestically designed and manufactured 6 MW medium-speed marine diesel engine for naval and Coast Guard vessels.
The company brings decades of expertise in medium-speed marine engines and could provide technical support to accelerate India’s indigenous engine development efforts.
