SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Officials from the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) have told idrw.org that the organization is confident in its ability to develop and deliver the Kaveri 2.0 engine within five to seven years, provided that the Indian government approves funding and the Indian Air Force (IAF) backs the program.
Speaking to idrw.org, an official closely associated with the current Kaveri Derivative Engine (KDE) project revealed that GTRE aims to achieve final certification for the KDE by the end of 2026. Once certified, the engine will be flight-tested on an older LCA-Tejas Mk1 platform as a demonstrator to showcase the maturity of the technology and its potential evolution into Kaveri 2.0.
While the final thrust specifications for Kaveri 2.0 are yet to be frozen, GTRE is targeting a new engine featuring a completely new core with the ability to generate up to 90kN of thrust. If cleared, this engine could not only power upgraded versions of the Tejas Mk1A but also be adapted for use in the upcoming Tejas MkII fighter program.
The official further added that the ecosystem and expertise developed for the KDE have laid a strong foundation for a fifth-generation engine, even though the technology stack is largely derived from fourth-generation developments. GTRE believes this base can be evolved to meet next-generation propulsion needs with indigenous innovation.
GTRE is particularly eager to integrate the KDE on older LCA-Tejas fighters for real-world testing. This move is seen as a crucial step to validate India’s capability to indigenously design and manufacture a fighter-class engine in the RD-33 (used in MiG-29) or M88 (used in Dassault Rafale) class.
This would mark a significant leap in India’s engine development journey — a capability long sought after to ensure greater self-reliance in military aviation and reduce dependency on foreign engine manufacturers like GE, Klimov, and Safran.
The ball now lies in the court of policymakers and the IAF. A green light from the stakeholders would signal a significant step toward India’s ambition of becoming a global aerospace power with an indigenous engine at its heart.
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