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SOURCE: IDRW.ORG.

Defense analyst Angad Singh has raised concerns about the Austro 330EP engine, currently being used in India’s Archer-NG Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAV prototype, due to its ownership link with China. The engine’s manufacturer, Austro Engine, was acquired by China’s Wanfeng Aviation Industry in 2017, when Wanfeng took over Diamond Aircraft Industries, the parent company of Austro Engine. This connection has raised questions about the engine’s long-term viability in an indigenous defense platform like the Archer-NG, especially given the sensitive nature of UAV technology. However, Singh noted that this foreign engine might only be used in the early development stages of the Archer-NG program.

To mitigate reliance on foreign sources, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has taken proactive measures by developing an indigenous engine with the Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) in collaboration with Jayem Automotives. This engine, which produces 180 horsepower, offers superior capabilities tailored to India’s operational requirements and is designed to provide consistent power up to 11,000 feet—a critical feature for operating in mountainous regions.

The indigenous engine developed by VRDE and Jayem Automotives offers significant advantages over the Austro 330EP. Notably, it features an indigenously developed Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system, extensively tested to ensure optimal performance and safety. The FADEC system allows for precise control over the engine’s power output, critical for UAV stability and efficiency in various mission profiles.

In addition to FADEC, the engine has undergone rigorous testing, validating its performance in demanding conditions. It has successfully achieved benchmarks for power output, thrust generation, and fuel consumption on both a dynamometer and a thrust cradle. Furthermore, its high-altitude capability has been demonstrated through trials at elevations up to 17,664 feet, including in Leh and Changla, making it well-suited for operations in India’s northern and mountainous regions.

A significant achievement for the indigenous engine has been its proven reliability in high-altitude performance tests, a critical factor for defense applications. The engine completed 1,100+ hours of testing under stringent test conditions, providing valuable data on its durability and efficiency. The tests included power, thrust, and fuel efficiency evaluations, demonstrating the engine’s robustness and suitability for prolonged use in UAV operations.

The engine has also undergone successful taxi trials with the Tapas platform, marking a crucial milestone in transitioning from prototype testing to operational deployment. These trials validate the compatibility and reliability of the indigenous engine with the UAV’s design and mission requirements, bringing the Archer-NG closer to a fully indigenous configuration.

Singh’s concerns about using an engine from a Chinese-owned company highlight the risks associated with relying on foreign-sourced components in strategic defense programs. China’s ownership of Austro Engine raises potential cybersecurity and supply chain vulnerabilities, particularly given the sensitive applications of the Archer-NG, which is designed for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions, and strike roles. Using a foreign engine, especially one tied to a potential adversary, could expose the UAV to operational and logistical risks, from possible supply chain restrictions to embedded security risks.

DRDO’s VRDE and Jayem Automotives’ indigenous engine addresses these concerns by offering a reliable, homegrown alternative. As the Archer-NG program progresses, the indigenous engine’s incorporation will reduce dependency on foreign suppliers, align with India’s strategic goals of self-reliance, and mitigate risks associated with sourcing critical components from countries like China.

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