SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
At Aero India 2025, officials from the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) provided key insights into the ongoing development of the Kaveri Engine Derivate (KDE) to idrw.org. The focus of upcoming inflight trials in Russia this year will primarily be on validating recent upgrades and modifications to the KDE, rather than conducting extensive testing of the engine itself. These trials aim to ensure that the newly built KDE units, which incorporate significant improvements over their predecessors, meet the required performance benchmarks.
GTRE officials revealed that older Kaveri engines were modified to serve as testbeds for the KDE, and most testing parameters, including the targeted dry thrust of 49kN, have already been validated. However, the newly delivered KDE units feature upgraded components, necessitating revalidation to confirm their reliability and performance. While these trials are not expected to involve a major testing phase, they are critical for ensuring the engine’s readiness for operational deployment.
When questioned about the engine’s production readiness, GTRE officials clarified that the KDE is earmarked for integration into the 13-tonne Rapid Personal Surveillance Aircraft (RPSA) Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) program. However, GTRE is also keen on validating the engine on the older Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Limited Series Production (LSP) airframes. This step is aimed at collecting additional data to support the development of the proposed Kaveri 2.0 engine, which is envisioned to deliver a significantly higher thrust of 90kN.
The current KDE generates 49kN of dry thrust, and when paired with an afterburner, it is expected to produce a maximum wet thrust of 73-75kN. While this thrust level is insufficient to power the Tejas Mk1A, which requires a more powerful engine, it is well-suited for the RPSA UCAV program.
The trials on the Tejas LSP airframes, if successful, could provide valuable insights into the engine’s performance under different flight conditions, paving the way for the development of the more ambitious Kaveri 2.0. This next-generation engine, with its proposed 90kN thrust, could potentially meet the power requirements of advanced variants of the Tejas and other future combat aircraft, reducing India’s reliance on foreign engine technology.
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