DRDO to Integrate Indigenous Dry Kaveri Engine into Tejas Trainer for Flight Testing
In a significant step toward bolstering India's indigenous defense capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has announced plans to integrate a derivative of the Dry Kaveri engine into the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Trainer. This development, revealed by Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of Defence Research and Development, underscores India's progress in achieving self-reliance in advanced engine technology.
The initiative aims to utilize the Tejas Trainer aircraft as a flying testbed for the Dry Kaveri engine, rather than replacing the existing F-404 engines in operational fighter jets. By adapting two existing Tejas Trainer prototypes, PV-5 and PV-6, for this purpose, DRDO is leveraging current resources to accelerate the development cycle and reduce costs. This approach allows for real-flight testing and refinement of the engine under diverse conditions, providing critical data to enhance its performance.
The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a key partner in this endeavor, has already started receiving new batches of Dry Kaveri engines for the testing program. These engines are set to undergo high-altitude trials to evaluate their performance in extreme environments, a crucial step in ensuring their reliability and effectiveness. Additionally, GTRE is developing new afterburner modules for the Kaveri engine, aiming to boost its combined thrust to approximately 73-75kN. Although this is slightly below the 84kN thrust of the F-404 engines in the LCA-Tejas Mk1, it represents significant progress in indigenous engine technology.
The Dry Kaveri engine is also envisioned to power the Ghatak UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle), a 13-ton unmanned strike aircraft being developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE). This versatile engine is expected to complement India's fifth-generation AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) fighter jet in deep strike missions within contested airspace.
The strategic implications of this development are profound. Successfully integrating and testing the Dry Kaveri engine will reduce India's dependency on foreign suppliers for critical fighter jet components, enhancing national security and defense capabilities. Moreover, this achievement could pave the way for the Dry Kaveri engine to potentially replace the F-404 engines in the Tejas Mk1A fleet during future upgrades.
While the exact timeline for the integration and subsequent trials remains undisclosed, the progress made thus far highlights India's commitment to advancing its defense technology through indigenous innovation. The collaborative efforts of DRDO and GTRE exemplify the nation's determination to achieve self-reliance in the aerospace sector, marking a pivotal moment in India's defense history.
