DG Propulsion Aims to Develop Indigenous Turbofan Engine Within 3 Years, Potentially Challenging Global Giants With Cost-Effective Alternative

India's aerospace industry is experiencing a surge of innovation, driven by emerging companies like Delhi-based DG Propulsion Private Limited (DPPL).

This startup is gaining attention for its domestically developed jet engine technology and has announced ambitious plans to create an indigenous turbofan engine, a move that could significantly alter the global aviation market.

Prateek Dhawan, Director of DPPL, stated that the company aims to complete this project within the next two to three years, contingent on securing necessary funding.

DPPL has already established a strong foundation with its DG J40, a micro-turbojet engine primarily used in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and various defence applications.

The J40, with a thrust capacity of 40 kgf (kilogram-force), has undergone extensive testing, including a successful one-hour endurance test. This demonstrated capability has highlighted India's increasing expertise in aerospace engineering and attracted interest from investors and defence organizations.

The company is now setting its sights on the development of turbofan engines. Turbofans are widely used in modern commercial and many military aircraft due to their superior fuel efficiency and reduced noise levels compared to turbojet engines.

Turbofan engines achieve greater efficiency by using a large fan at the front to pull in a significant amount of air. Some of this air bypasses the core engine, creating additional thrust without burning extra fuel. This makes them a critical component of the aviation sector. DPPL's entry into this field signifies a considerable increase in both its ambition and the technological challenges it will face.

"Our success with the DG J40 has demonstrated our capabilities," Dhawan explained. "We believe the turbofan segment is the next logical progression for us, but this is dependent on securing the required investments to develop a new engine over the next two to three years."

Developing a turbofan engine requires considerable financial resources, state-of-the-art research infrastructure, and a highly skilled team capable of addressing complex design requirements.

Dhawan acknowledged these challenges: "Significant investment is essential for this project. It will involve a multi-year commitment to design, test, and refine an engine that meets international standards."

He remains hopeful, however, that the increasing attention on DPPL's achievements will attract funding from government sources, private investors, or potentially international collaborators.

The successful development of an indigenous turbofan engine by DPPL could have far-reaching consequences. It would lessen India's dependence on foreign engine manufacturers, such as GE Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Rolls-Royce, which currently control the majority of the market.

Furthermore, it could establish DPPL as a significant player in the international aerospace supply chain, providing a more affordable option for countries looking for alternatives to engines from Western or Russian producers.

For India, this accomplishment would represent a major step toward technological self-reliance, supporting the nation's objective of becoming a key exporter of defence technologies.

 

[Ashish Sandhu]

Its a great thing that an Indian private company is going to develop a turbofan engine within 3 years. I hope the engine would be suitable for Tejas Mk2 and probably for TEDBF.

 

[Mithu]

But it's impossible to do it .Where will you get material, manufacturing techniques and coating tech.GE 414 will give two sans material alloys and probably forging.
If you get the three you will get 404 in kaveri.
Material is the holy grail which no one will part it.It had to invented by india.

 

[Speedy13]

We should ask CM Stalin of Tamil Nadu. Since it is being claimed that Tamilians created Wootz steel some 4500 years ago when the French and the British were still in diapers, and which was exported to the Middle East and used to make the famous Damascus or damascene swords and to Spain to forge the equally well known Toledo blades, Tamil Nadu is the best placed to deliver single crystal blades and alloy steels to withstand the high thermal and mechanical stresses that jet engines are subject to

 

[Surfer]

Why can’t they make a engine for Tejas and AMCA.

 

[Muthukumar Ponnambalam]

GTRE should be shutdown and the best and brightest among them who have been working on KAVERI should be absorbed by DPPL. And GTRE's other resources should be given / sold to DPPL.

India can't afford to have another white elephant in the name of GTRE along the lines of HAL, DRDO etc.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

They should make 1, 5 ,10, 15 and 20 engines for drones, missiles and trainer aircrafts.

 

[swatkats_razor]

These people, Dhawan and Gupta (DG), are really putting great effort and their own money into pioneering a field where even major players with deep pockets and experience avoid venturing.

 

[Prem Jain]

If the startup is genuinely planning to develop an engine for fighter jets, they must be financially assisted. Evaluate the progress and never kill the project. The babus must not be allowed to tie the red-tape on DPPL. Give them ample time , environment, resources and enable them to deliver. That’s what all the developed countries have done. We have the skill, talent, determination and all the other ingredients for a successful outcome . Pls include this as an Atmanirbhar venture and allow it to grow. Instead of begging with other countries, let our people work.

 

[AK Hom]

Developing high temp material and lab testing for creep itself will take 20 yrs !! These start up guys have good courage and confidence , but they don't know reality. Core tech in Gas Turbine is high temperature creep resistant steel to withstand hot gas path temp anything upto 1200°C +, them comes designing 3D blade profiles (for best effy) and manufacturing them. Such Dev does not come overnight. World's best Co's spent several decades to develop and reliability for aero engines are at diff levels and any wishful thinking won't result into quick reality !! Not knowing the reality and simply giving commercial talks as self patting and for public consumption who are not aware of core intricacies...

 

[dunla52]

There is plenty of money from Large corporations and private enterprises to fund this jet engine developments time is of essence. Open an independent funding where investment could be directed.

 

[Sammy]

We should ask CM Stalin of Tamil Nadu. Since it is being claimed that Tamilians created Wootz steel some 4500 years ago when the French and the British were still in diapers, and which was exported to the Middle East and used to make the famous Damascus or damascene swords and to Spain to forge the equally well known Toledo blades, Tamil Nadu is the best placed to deliver single crystal blades and alloy steels to withstand the high thermal and mechanical stresses that jet engines are subject to

Whatever you claim. Today the best steel is made cheaper outside Tamil Nadu

 

[Sandeep]

They may have developed a good micro jet but developing large turbo fan engines for airlines or fighter jets is very difficult, complex and expensive which takes a long time and numerous amounts of tests.

 

[Frankoku]

Only a one hour test for the J40? Needs much more at all speeds, loads and flows.

 

[VijayT]

Many have posted correctly that it's impossible to develop in 2/3 years as stated unless you get blue prints of designs,sop for manufacturing & most importantly metallurgical support.
This industry has tremendous entry barrier.