SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), the Indian defence research body responsible for developing Indigenous jet engines, is actively pursuing a significant leap in India’s defence capabilities. Speaking to idrw.org on the condition of anonymity, a GTRE official revealed that once the Dry Kaveri+ Afterburner section is successfully tested on a flying testbed, GTRE will propose a government funding request for the development of a 90 kN engine. This new engine, an enhanced variant of the current Kaveri engine, is aimed at replacing the F-404 engines on the Tejas Mk1A fighter jets within the next decade.
The primary objective behind this development is to create a new generation of Kaveri engines capable of generating 20-25% more thrust than the existing Dry Kaveri engine. This increase in power will be achieved by refining the core of the Kaveri engine, which is currently under development. Once the enhanced core is validated, it will be coupled with a new afterburner section, enabling the engine to generate 90 kN of thrust, making it a capable replacement for the F-404 engines currently powering the Tejas Mk1A fleet.
GTRE’s official stated that the Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to Induce more than 220 Tejas Mk1 and Mk1A jets over the next 7-8 years. The new Kaveri engine will aim to replace the F-404 engines as the jets enter their mid-life by 2035, well within the projected service timeline of these aircraft.
The Tejas Mk1A, which is slated to enter service in 2025, is expected to require brand-new engines by 2035 to maintain operational efficiency. Each type of fighter jet in an IAF fleet requires approximately 3.5 engine changes over 40 years, and the Tejas Mk1A will be no different. With this in mind, GTRE is focused on ensuring that its newly developed Kaveri engine is ready to take over from the F-404s when the time comes, ensuring long-term sustainability for India’s indigenous fighter fleet.
The proposed Kaveri engine would not only provide more power but would also offer better performance under extreme conditions. Unlike the F-404 engines, which suffer from 7-8% power degradation in hot conditions, the Kaveri engine is designed to be flat-rated. This means it will maintain its thrust capabilities even in the extreme heat and high-altitude environments typical of India’s operational conditions.
The proposed Kaveri 90 kN engine is expected to make a substantial difference to the Tejas Mk1A program. It will replace the current F-404 engines in the mid-life of these fighter jets, helping to keep them operational for the next several decades. As the Indian Air Force plans to induct over 220 Tejas jets in the coming years, having a domestically developed, reliable, and powerful engine will be crucial to the success of the Tejas Mk1A program.
NOTE : Article cannot be reproduced without written permission of idrw.org in any form even for YouTube Videos to avoid Copy right strikes. Websites doing illegal reproductions will get DMCA and Legal Notices.