SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Rolls-Royce is actively campaigning its MT30 Marine Gas Turbine for the propulsion system of the Indian Navy’s upcoming IAC-2 aircraft carrier. This comes after the MT30 was initially considered for a larger, 65,000-ton carrier project that was later shelved in favor of the 44,000-ton INS Vikrant, currently powered by General Electric LM2500 engines.
Rolls-Royce sees IAC-2, the sister ship to INS Vikrant, as a crucial opportunity for the MT30. The company is highlighting the potential for engine continuity when the even larger IAC-III carrier is built, especially considering Defense Minister Rajnath Singh’s suggestion of a future Indian Navy with more than four carriers.
To bolster its case, Rolls-Royce has proposed local production of the MT30 engines in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This collaboration would involve a significant Transfer of Technology (ToT) agreement, potentially enhancing India’s self-reliance in marine gas turbine technology.
The Indian Navy faces a critical choice regarding the propulsion system for IAC-2. While the LM2500 engines on the INS Vikrant have proven reliable, the MT30’s potential for standardization, performance gains, and domestic production present a compelling proposition. The Navy will weigh these factors alongside factors like life-cycle costs and integration complexity to make its decision.
The selection of the engine for IAC-2 will have a significant impact on the Indian Navy’s future. A successful partnership with Rolls-Royce on the MT30 could not only propel India towards self-sufficiency in marine gas turbine technology but also pave the way for a standardized and potentially more advanced future for the Indian carrier fleet.
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