GE Aerospace’s LM500 Marine Turbines Power Korean Navy Patrol Vessels

The Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) ordered eight GE Aerospace LM500 marine gas turbine engines to be installed on four vessels under the PKX-B Batch-II patrol boat program.

“This contract award reinforces GE Aerospace's position as a provider of marine propulsion systems for navies,” said Mark Musheno, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, GE Aerospace Marine Engines & Systems. "We are pleased to extend our long-standing relationship with the ROKN, soon to be powering 77 ships with 156 marine gas turbines."

GE Aerospace will manufacture the gas turbine hardware at its Lynn, MA, facility before delivering it to Hanwha Aerospace, which will assemble and test each engine prior to final send-off and installation in South Korea. Hanwha also co-manufactures engine components and will provide spares and maintenance support for ROKN patrol boats, in addition to GE Aerospace’s field services team executing direct support in-country.

Ships + LM500

The PKX-B Batch-II patrol vessels offer quick response times and enhanced firepower in the ROKN’s coastal and near-shore littoral operations. These vessels also feature high speeds for rapid-response missions while preserving fuel economy during cruise-speed operations.

PKX-B Chamsuri patrol vessel; image credit: Onyx

GE Aerospace’s LM500 gas turbine is installed in a combined diesel and gas turbine configuration, leveraging its compact design, increased power-to-weight ratio, fuel efficiency, and overall reliability for ROKN PKX-B missions. In 2023 and 2024, GE Aerospace delivered LM500 turbines for the ROKN’s eight additional vessels in its patrol boat program.

LM2500s for Indian Navy

In October 2024, the Indian Navy selected GE Aerospace’s LM2500 to power its new NGMV fleet, built by Cochin Shipyard in Kochi, India. GE Aerospace will deliver six LM2500 marine gas turbine engine kits for assembly and test by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd.’s (HAL) Industrial and Marine Gas Turbine Division in Bangalore. In addition, GE Aerospace will deliver its composite base, enclosure, and a full suite of gas turbine auxiliary systems.

HAL assembled and tested all LM2500 gas turbines currently installed on the Indian Navy’s P17 and P17A frigates, as well as the IAC-1 Vikrant aircraft carrier. In 2023, HAL and GE Aerospace signed a memorandum of understanding to expand their capabilities to include assembly, inspection, and testing of the LM2500 marine gas turbine. To date, GE Aerospace delivered 24 marine gas turbine kits to HAL for the Indian Navy.The NGMV is a new design for the Indian Navy that will reach a max speed of 35 knots and be equipped with a collection of anti-surface weapons. The LM2500 is the core of its propulsion system, delivering power while meeting stealth requirements.

GE Aerospace in the News

In April 2025, GE Aerospace and MTU Maintenance (Dallas) signed a long-term agreement to continue GEnx aviation engine maintenance at the new Fort Worth facility. The agreement supports MTU Maintenance Dallas in expanding maintenance variety and Fort Worth shop capacity for customers using GE Aerospace engines.

With GE Aerospace’s Branded Services Agreement, MTU Maintenance Dallas is an authorized, trained, and supported GEnx engine service provider, leveraging its access to overhaul and repair technology at the Fort Worth facility. In 2023, MTU Maintenance transferred its maintenance work to the Fort Worth location: a 43,000-square-meter facility with engine testing capable of up to 100,000 lbs. of thrust.