The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Bharat Forge Limited, Pune for the acquisition of 12 sets of 1.25 megawatt (MW) marine gas turbine generators with a minimum of 60 per cent indigenous content for the Indian Navy at a total cost of around Rs 4,250 million (mn). The production is scheduled under the Buy (Indian) category and was executed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. The project is presented as a move to strengthen domestic manufacture of strategic naval equipment.

The Ministry described the move as reinforcing the Government's commitment to Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the Make-in-India initiative by creating a robust domestic manufacturing ecosystem. It indicated the procurements would enhance maritime self-reliance in critical strategic technologies and bolster the Navy's operational readiness through indigenous production and end-to-end life-cycle support. The ministry further stated the contract marked a significant step towards establishing indigenous capability to manufacture marine gas turbine generators.

The generators are portrayed as the backbone of modern naval combatants, providing power for critical combat systems, advanced weaponry and sensors. The announcement comes as the Government seeks to accelerate domestic defence production to reduce import dependence and foster private and public sector collaboration. Earlier this week the Centre reported that annual defence production reached an all-time high of Rs 1,780 billion (bn) in the last financial year 2026 (FY26).

The figure represented a 15.6 per cent increase over the previous fiscal's output of Rs 1,540 billion and a 110 per cent rise since FY 2020-21 when output stood at Rs 846.43 billion. The ministry noted that indigenous defence production had increased almost fourfold from Rs 437.46 billion in FY 2013-14. The Defence Minister credited the Prime Minister's leadership and acknowledged the combined efforts of the Department of Defence Production and industry in achieving the landmark.