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SOURCE: AFI

Renowned defense analyst Ranesh Rajan, speaking to idrw.org, has urged the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) to expedite funding and development for the Kaveri engine program, suggesting its adaptation for follow-on orders of the Tejas Mk1A fighter. With ongoing delays in the supply of F-404 engines from GE Aerospace, Rajan emphasized that India needs a robust domestic engine solution to avoid operational setbacks and dependency on foreign suppliers.

Currently, the Kaveri engine, in its “dry” configuration (without an afterburner), generates around 49kN of thrust. If mated with an afterburner section, the “wet” thrust of the Kaveri could be calculated as follows.

For an afterburner-equipped version, a typical increase in thrust is around 1.6 to 1.8 times the dry thrust, given sufficient design optimization. Using a conservative factor of 1.7, the wet thrust calculation for the Kaveri engine would be:

Wet Thrust=49 kN×1.7=83.3 kN

This estimated 83.3 kN of wet thrust, while slightly lower than the 84 kN provided by the F-404, could be compensated by the Kaveri engine’s “flat-rated” design, optimized for India’s unique temperature and altitude conditions. A flat-rated engine maintains consistent thrust levels in higher ambient temperatures, unlike many foreign engines, which lose efficiency in these environments.

The recent delay in F-404 engine deliveries highlights the risk of reliance on foreign suppliers for critical military technologies. Rajan asserts that India’s dependency on imported engines, particularly amid global supply chain uncertainties, exposes its defense programs to potential setbacks. A fully developed Kaveri engine would provide a strategic advantage by ensuring engine availability for India’s growing fleet of Tejas jets and mitigating risks associated with foreign supply chains.

Given its potential, the Kaveri engine program requires sustained funding and support to bridge the remaining technology gaps and achieve operational readiness. Rajan suggests that if the MoD commits to increased funding now, the Kaveri engine could meet the operational requirements of the Tejas Mk1A fleet within the next five years. Additionally, any future indigenous fighter programs would benefit from a mature, tested engine design.