In a significant update to India’s indigenous defense development roadmap, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has confirmed that the long-delayed Kaveri jet engine will not be powering the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).
This decision marks a strategic pivot in India’s aerospace ambitions, as the Kaveri engine—once envisioned as the heart of the Tejas will now be repurposed for other platforms.
Why the Kaveri Engine Won’t Power Tejas?
Originally launched in the late 1980s, the Kaveri engine project was designed to provide India with a homegrown turbofan engine for the Tejas LCA.
However, after decades of development, the engine failed to meet the required thrust-to-weight ratio and reliability standards for frontline fighter operations.
Key limitations include:
- Insufficient thrust: The Kaveri engine produces ~81 kN with afterburner, compared to the GE F404-IN20’s 84 kN used in Tejas Mk1A.
- Weight and efficiency issues: The engine’s weight and fuel efficiency lag behind global benchmarks
- Delayed timelines: Despite multiple redesigns, the engine never reached operational readiness for fighter deployment.
As a result, DRDO officially delinked the Kaveri engine from the Tejas program as early as 2008, and has now reaffirmed that it will not be revisited for this role.
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What’s Next for the Kaveri Engine?
While the Kaveri won’t fly with Tejas, it’s far from obsolete. DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) is now repurposing the engine for:
- Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) like the DRDO Ghatak
- Naval applications and marine propulsion systems
- Technology demonstrators for future indigenous engine programs
Additionally, a Kaveri 2.0 variant is under conceptual development, aimed at powering India’s upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and Twin-Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF). These next-gen fighters will require engines in the 110–130 kN thrust class, well beyond the current Kaveri’s capabilities.
Tejas to Continue with GE Engines
For now, the Tejas Mk1A and upcoming Mk2 variants will continue to rely on GE’s F404 and F414 engines, respectively. These engines offer proven performance and are already integrated into the Tejas airframe.
The DRDO’s confirmation that the Kaveri engine won’t power Tejas is a pragmatic decision rooted in performance realities.
However, the engine’s legacy lives on fueling India’s future in unmanned systems and next-gen fighters. As the country pushes for defense self-reliance, the lessons from Kaveri will be instrumental in shaping the engines of tomorrow.
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