HAL signs MoU with Rolls-Royce to support MT30 marine engines in India

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Rolls-Royce for supporting Rolls-Royce MT30 marine engines in India.

The MoU between the Indian aerospace company and the UK firm covers setting up packaging, installation, marketing, and services for the marine gas turbine engine.

It will enable Rolls-Royce and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to grow their partnership in India with the parties collaborating for the first time in the area of marine applications.

R Madhavan – CMD of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited said: “Rolls-Royce has been our valued partner for several decades. We now look forward to working together to explore business opportunities in marine applications.

“This partnership will leverage the rich experience of HAL ‘s ‘MGT Division that works on marine gas turbines with Indian shipyards. Further, we are also exploring the option of using AIT7 marine engine on the hovercraft being planned by the shipyards in India.”

Rolls-Royce MT30 marine engine. Photo courtesy of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

Rolls-Royce MT30 is a power-dense naval gas turbine, that is presently used in naval programs across the world in multiple propulsion arrangements across seven types of ships.

According to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the MT30, which is derived from the Trent aero engine family, can potentially give next-generation capabilities to the future fleet of the Indian Navy.

In ambient temperatures up to 38 degree celsius, the MT30 marine engine can supply its full power of up to 40MW without any power degradation right through the life of the ship.

Tom Bell – President of Rolls-Royce Defence said: “Rolls-Royce has a shared history of successful collaboration with HAL in defence aerospace, and we are proud to strengthen our valued partnership to work together for the MT30 naval gas turbine.

“As India focuses on its vision of modernisation and self-reliance in defence, we look forward to introducing the 114T30 to customers in India in collaboration with HAL. Designed for naval platforms of the future, the MT30 is perfectly equipped to meet the Indian Navy‘s present and future needs.”