Expands In-Country Footprint and Capability

GE Marine and NRTEC Co Ltd have signed an MoU underpinning expanded efforts to manufacture and assemble LM2500 gas turbines for the Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) and commercials exports, the companies announced on 27 October.

“GE has a trusted longstanding partnership with Hanwha Aerospace (HAS) supporting the Republic of Korea Navy fleet of GE LM2500 family and LM500 gas turbines. NRT has a proven track record of demonstrating expertise in the manufacture and assembly of gas turbine systems. This MoU enhances GE-HAS collaboration, further strengthens in-country support capability for the RoKN and increases commercial export opportunities,” explained David Kamensky, Asia Pacific Business Development and Senior Sales Director, GE Marine. “Our philosophy is to provide in-country support from pre-delivery through the entire lifetime of the program to include the maintenance of GE’s gas turbines.”

In Korea, GE Marine’s gas turbines have been supporting the RoKN with proven engines and in-country support since 1980, starting with the Ulsan frigate. GE’s longstanding in-country licensee Hanwha Aerospace co-manufactures the engine components for the RoK’s naval and industrial gas turbines, as well as aviation engines. Hanwha also assembles GE’s naval engines and provides in-country spares and services support for the life of the ship.

Under the MoU, GE and NRT will continue discussions on localisation relating to the manufacture, assembly, test, maintenance, inspection, repair, and overhaul of the marine GE LM2500 family gas turbine systems for existing and new RoKN and export applications.

“NRT has a longstanding involvement with the GE LM2500 series of gas turbines, developing and manufacturing systems for the GE Oil and Gas division, and therefore we are very familiar with the product and working closely with GE. This MoU increases our GE-NRT cooperation and expands our capabilities to include the latest GE systems offering and opportunity to support both the RoK Navy and international programmes,” commented Jinyong Lee, EVP of NRTEC. “Our competitive advantage is from having an existing understanding of the product which gives us a unique opportunity to develop and deliver high quality products on time into the market.”