SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Kaveri Engine Derivative (KDE) program, a cornerstone of India’s push for indigenous aerospace propulsion, is poised for a significant boost with additional funding from the Ministry of Defence (MoD). This financial support, expected to be approved soon, aims to accelerate the development of the KDE, including the testing of a new afterburner being developed by BrahMos Aerospace Corporation. The funding will also facilitate the integration and testing of the engine on an older Limited Series Production (LSP) Tejas aircraft, laying the groundwork for future enhancements and broader applications.
The KDE, a non-afterburning variant derived from the original Kaveri engine developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is designed to power the DRDO Ghatak stealth Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). Recent advancements have seen the dry variant achieve a stable thrust of 49-51 kN, with the addition of a BrahMos-developed afterburner targeting an additional 29 kN, potentially pushing the total thrust to around 78-80 kN. This upgrade is a critical step toward meeting the thrust requirements for advanced platforms, including potential integration into manned fighters like the Tejas Mk1A.
The MoD’s decision to inject fresh funds comes at a pivotal moment, reflecting India’s strategic priority to reduce reliance on imported engines such as the GE F404 and F414, currently powering the Tejas fleet. The additional funding will support rigorous testing of the afterburner, which is being engineered indigenously by BrahMos Aerospace to withstand extreme thermal and mechanical stresses. This collaboration marks a significant expansion of BrahMos’s role beyond its renowned supersonic cruise missiles, showcasing its growing expertise in aerospace propulsion technology.
A key component of the funding plan involves integrating the KDE into an older LSP-Tejas prototype, such as the PV-5 (KH-T2009) or PV-6 (KH-T2010), originally developed for the twin-seater variant. This testbed will allow GTRE to evaluate the engine’s performance under real-flight conditions, including high-altitude and dynamic scenarios. The data gathered will serve as a foundation for refining the engine’s design, addressing challenges like weight reduction—currently around 1,180 kg—and improving reliability. This step is seen as a proof-of-concept phase, paving the way for the development of the more ambitious Kaveri 2.0, which aims for a thrust of 90-95 kN to power future Tejas variants and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
The funding boost aligns with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, emphasizing self-reliance in defense technology. The KDE’s progress, bolstered by past collaborations with Safran and recent high-altitude tests in Russia, has renewed optimism within the IAF and DRDO. However, challenges remain, including ensuring the afterburner’s stability and optimizing the engine’s weight to match international benchmarks like the F404 (1,035 kg). The successful testing on the LSP-Tejas could trigger a broader rollout, potentially upgrading the Tejas Mk1A fleet and reducing long-term dependency on foreign suppliers.
Industry experts view this development as a critical juncture for India’s aerospace ambitions. The KDE’s evolution, supported by private players like Godrej Aerospace and now BrahMos, highlights a growing ecosystem of indigenous innovation. If the afterburner tests and LSP-Tejas integration succeed, the program could position India as a contender in the global aero-engine market, supporting not only military platforms but also export opportunities for allied nations.
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