Godrej Delivers First Batch of Two 48 kN Dry Kaveri Engine Modules to GTRE, Remaining Six Expected by End of This Year

Godrej Aerospace has marked a significant step in India's indigenous defence manufacturing capability by delivering the initial pair of engine modules for a Kaveri derivative engine.

These first two units have been handed over to the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a key laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Godrej Aerospace confirmed that the delivery schedule anticipates the remaining six modules of the order to be completed and supplied by the end of the current year.

This delivery stems from an order secured by Godrej Aerospace back in September 2022, tasking the company with the production of eight complete engine modules.

The engine itself is a specific variant derived from the original Kaveri project. It is designed as a 48 kilonewton (kN) thrust 'dry' engine, meaning it operates without an afterburner, unlike engines typically used in supersonic fighter jets.

Reports suggest this particular engine configuration is intended to power future unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), boosting India's development efforts in autonomous flight technology.

The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), located in Bengaluru, provided the core design for these engine modules. As the DRDO's primary centre for military gas turbine engine development, GTRE entrusted the manufacturing responsibility to Godrej Aerospace.

A representative from Godrej highlighted the collaborative nature, stating their pride in applying the company's manufacturing expertise and leveraging its network of partner suppliers to bring GTRE's advanced design to fruition.

The broader Kaveri engine programme, originally initiated to develop an indigenous powerplant for India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, continues to evolve. While that specific goal faced challenges, the underlying technology and research have led to derivatives like this 48 kN engine finding potential roles in other critical defence applications.

This project underscores the increasing collaboration between DRDO institutions and private sector companies like Godrej Aerospace, strengthening India's self-reliance ('Atmanirbhar Bharat') in key defence technologies.

As a division of Godrej & Boyce, Godrej Aerospace has positioned itself as a crucial partner within India's aerospace and defence supply chain. The successful manufacture and delivery of these first complex engine modules demonstrate the company's advanced capabilities in precision engineering and its contribution to the national 'Make in India' initiative, particularly in strategically important sectors.

 

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[KVS]

Great News!🎉
Let us hope these engines meet all specified parameters successfully.
Best wishes to become an Internationally reputed manufacturer of all types of aero engines soon.🙂

 

[Vasugali]

Better to encourage the likes of Godrej and make steady progress in respect of engines than to be over dependent on GE etc., who suck money but don't furnish all the requirements

 

[Tarunkumar Mishra]

A day of great achievement on Rmnavmi

 

[Imaxxx]

What are these engines for?

 

[मित्र]

Can we know about this engine's actual tech specs like weight, thrust, dimensions etc.

 

[RG]

This shows the Indian private sector has the capability; it has not been tapped. They can produce on time. I think the private sector should be encouraged to come up with products based on this dry Kaveri variant so that it can be further enhanced for greater adoption and roles.

 

[MANIVANNAN N]

So Godrej is ready for engine production. GTRE needs to develop a more powerful engine. So there is no need to create a production facility by GTRE.

 

[sanket]

This shows the Indian private sector has the capability; it has not been tapped. They can produce on time. I think the private sector should be encouraged to come up with products based on this dry Kaveri variant so that it can be further enhanced for greater adoption and roles.

Though private players are masters in copy-paste work, they have performed better than Western companies, while GE signed a contract in 2021 yet hasn't delivered a single engine & is expected to arrive in the second week of April.

 

[GMR]

Great progress..👍may be 2-3 yrs. More for trials & certification? At last their will be one Bharatiya own Aero engine, though lesser than expectations.

 

[Predator]

Can we know about this engine's actual tech specs like weight, thrust, dimensions etc.

I still can't find exact specifications. Many defence articles, including IDRW, mention this engine's specifications each time with different numbers.

 

[kumar]

KDE is still stuck in Russia awaiting HAS test slot. Hope, MoD and GoI create test facility in India itself.

 

[Col Murty(Retd)]

It is a significant milestone in our way to
make our own fighter engine. Kudos to Godrej team. 👍

 

[Kira]

I believe the Kaveri engine can still be put to good use with future combat drones.

 

[Torontodude]

Godrej speed - 8/year! Shows what pvt sector can do. Time to unleash the pvt sector potential and put HAL, BML, HVF, AWEIL etc. in direct competition.

 

[sandy 007]

Government is still taking time to make Kaveri engine MK2. I think if we have the blueprint, we must move ahead with a consortium of the private sector and do the needful as early as possible.

I hope this way we can go ahead with the Jet engine Ganga, which is for higher thrust, and we should move ahead with the consortium under any circumstances.

Ganga Jet Engine must be revived and made a reality. Time has come to ask all stakeholders to come forward and submit their intentions and move ahead with the next development.

 

[Aravind Raveendran]

This is what we have been missing; we need motivated private sector who are rich and capable enough to see through their plans.

 

[Pankaj]

That's the first step achievement. Now the performance, evaluation and further modification is needed to cope up with the need.

The engine is ready but whether we have the testbed? In spite of having so many aircraft still we lack a testbed for testing an aircraft engine. MoD should immediately handover a MiG29 or Il-76 to GTRE for testing purpose while concurrently GTRE should also work on the afterburner section suitable for the Kaveri Dry Engine. If we succeed this time, let the engine be used in the upcoming trainer aircraft (HLFT-42 with 75 kN) even if it falls short of the desired output (85-90 kN).

 

[Sandeep]

This is good and welcome news. We can definitely use this for our stealth UCAV Ghatak and also for other uses like the Kaveri Marine Engine that can power our small to medium ships.

Also there’s a possibility that once we develop an afterburner section then we can power our older Mirage 2000 and Mig 29 jets if the Russians allow it which isn’t likely as they will want to carry on earning from our engine purchases, parts, components, maintenance and technology upkeep.

 

[Leo red]

We need more power means we need more research and money. Get these people in the stock market for fund raising privately. Otherwise, if required, get govt. support. Need strong engines, at least above 100kN range. Govt. should force multiple companies to come in and work together. It's time now.