DRDO's DATRAN 1,500 HP Engine Undergoing Crucial Tests in US, Aiming for Production by 2028 to Power India's Next-Gen Main Battle Tanks

India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has embarked on a critical phase in its quest for self-reliance in defence technology. The organization's indigenously developed 1,500 horsepower (hp) DATRAN engine is currently undergoing rigorous testing in the United States.

This move is necessitated by the fact that while India possesses engine testing facilities, they are primarily equipped to handle smaller engines. Evaluating the high-powered DATRAN 1500 requires specialized infrastructure currently available overseas.

This powerful engine is a key component of India's ambitious Futuristic Main Battle Tank (FMBT) program. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), tasked with manufacturing the DATRAN 1500, has already produced three prototype units. To ensure thorough evaluation, BEL plans to develop an additional 20 engines for extensive trials.

The successful development and deployment of the DATRAN 1500 engine hold significant implications for India's defense capabilities. If trials proceed as planned and the engine enters production by the end of 2028 as anticipated, it will mark a major step towards reducing India's dependence on foreign powertrain systems for its armored vehicles. This achievement will not only boost the nation's self-sufficiency in defense technology but also pave the way for a more robust and independent defense ecosystem.

 

[KVS]

Good News!
If the production is expected only around 2028, will our Avadi Tank factory import the existing German engines?
A successful DATRAN engine could even be used in small vessels, captive power packs,... etc!
To the Development Team!👌👍

 

[sanket]

This is where Bharat lacks behind in Test Facility, whether it is Aero-Engine or Tank Engine; don't have local infrastructure for speeding the development of Engines. In the future, it needs to invest in Testing Facilities.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

I had been blaming Indian scientists all this time, least realizing we don't have proper labs, equipment, testbeds, machines, and peanuts for the R&D budget.

 

[Krishnendu Chatterjee]

Previous news on Datran 1500 mentioned the engine would be sent to UK for testing and the engine was built by BEML. Anyway, sending it to US may not be safe in national interest. US has always frowned upon our endeavour to achieve indigenous capability. More so now.

 

[Krishnendu Chatterjee]

This is where Bharat lacks behind in Test Facility, whether it is Aero-Engine or Tank Engine; don't have local infrastructure for speeding the development of Engines. In the future, it needs to invest in Testing Facilities.

At least some kind of engine is being made now, 76 years after independence !!
We were never good at science & engineering. Even now, ISRO falters regularly owing to bad engineering. NVS02 has failed. Spadesx is partial success. ISRO scientists couldn't undock the satellites.

 

[Preet]

At least some kind of engine is being made now, 76 years after independence !!
We were never good at science & engineering. Even now, ISRO falters regularly owing to bad engineering. NVS02 has failed. Spadesx is partial success. ISRO scientists couldn't undock the satellites.

Cry louder bro.. u didnt see the achievements of those ISRO scientists.. rather mentioned a few negatives.. US, China, Russia no one could achieve Mars mission in one attempt, India did.. ISRO did it!! ISRO holds the record of lifting maximum satellites .. lekin nai, hume to bas rona aata hai, to royenge bc .. keyboard warriors..

 

[TETRA]

Request the Govt to start a proper testing platform for all such futuristic powerful engines. No point in developing and getting it tested elsewhere. What is the guarantee that they will not absorb our technology

 

[Kailash]

It is a pity that we have to take even IC engines to the US to get them certified. It is deplorable we lack those facilities here in India, while paying 5-10 times that amount to take it to the USA and back

 

[INDIAN]

At least some kind of engine is being made now, 76 years after independence !!
We were never good at science & engineering. Even now, ISRO falters regularly owing to bad engineering. NVS02 has failed. Spadesx is partial success. ISRO scientists couldn't undock the satellites.

you shall be aware that people carrying out the sophisticated job of calibration / testing are Indians who moved to US after graduation in premier engineering colleges.