Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited (KOEL) has secured a major contract with the Indian Navy under the “Make-I” initiative. The agreement, signed on April 2, 2025, focuses on the design and development of a 6MW medium-speed marine diesel engine. The signing ceremony was attended by Shri Sanjeev Kumar IAS, Secretary of Defence Production, and Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Vice Chief of the Naval Staff. KOEL was represented by senior executives including Mr. Vinod Menon, Head of Industrial Business; Mr. Sachin Kejriwal, CFO; Mr. Sanjay Mujumdar, Head of Marine and Defence Business; and Mr. Najeeb Rahman, Marine Segment Leader.
The project will involve creating a prototype diesel engine with over 50% indigenous content. The total cost of the project is Rs 270 crore, with the Indian government providing 70% of the funding. KOEL will develop engines ranging from 3 MW to 10 MW, designed for main propulsion and power generation on vessels of the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard. Currently, most of these engines are imported, making this project a significant step toward India’s goal of self-reliance in marine engine technology, in line with the government’s “Aatmanirbharta” (self-reliance) initiative.
KOEL views the contract as a key milestone in its commitment to the “Make in India” initiative. The engines will be developed by KOEL’s in-house R&D teams, showcasing the company’s advanced engineering and technological capabilities.
Gauri Kirloskar, Managing Director of KOEL, expressed pride in the partnership, stating, “We are honored to be selected by the Indian Navy for this prestigious project and look forward to contributing to the nation’s defense capabilities. This achievement is a significant moment for all of us at KOEL, and with our technical strength and R&D capabilities, we are confident in delivering a world-class product to the Indian Navy. We thank the Ministry of Defence and the Indian Navy for their trust and support.”
With over 75 years of experience, KOEL is a leading manufacturer of internal combustion engines, generators, and agricultural equipment. The company also provides engines for industries such as construction, railways, firefighting, and mining. KOEL specializes in both air-cooled and liquid-cooled engines, offering a wide range of power outputs from 3 kW to 10 MW. Additionally, KOEL manufactures engines that run on alternative fuels such as ethanol, methanol, biodiesel, natural gas, biogas, and hydrogen, along with dual-fuel and flexi-fuel options.
KOEL has a strong presence in India and operates in over 60 countries, with offices in Dubai, South Africa, Kenya, and the USA. The company is known for its engineering excellence, innovation, and commitment to providing customer-focused solutions in the power and energy sectors. KOEL continues to set new standards in performance, sustainability, and energy efficiency.
