GTRE Proposes High-Altitude Engine Test Facility to Simulate Flight Conditions Above 40k Ft, Awaits ₹1600 Cr Funding from MoD

The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a leading laboratory under India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has proposed the establishment of a cutting-edge high-altitude engine test facility.

This facility would simulate conditions at altitudes exceeding 40,000 feet, providing a crucial platform for rigorously testing and analyzing jet engine performance in environments that closely mirror real-world operational scenarios.

The proposed investment of ₹1600 crores would enable GTRE to conduct these critical tests domestically, eliminating the current reliance on foreign facilities like the Central Institute of Aviation Motors (CIAM) in Russia.

The lack of such a facility in India has been a significant obstacle in the development of indigenous jet engines, including the Kaveri engine and its variants, which are vital for projects like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

High-altitude testing is essential for evaluating engine performance, fuel efficiency, and operational stability under the extreme conditions encountered during high-altitude flight. Data from these tests are crucial for refining engine designs, ensuring reliability, and optimizing performance before engines are cleared for use in military aircraft.

Despite the clear strategic advantages, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has yet to approve the funding for this vital project. This delay has sparked debate within the defence community regarding India's commitment to self-reliance in aerospace technology.

Discussions on social media platforms like X reveal growing frustration among enthusiasts and experts who view this as a missed opportunity to reduce dependence on foreign facilities and accelerate the development of indigenous defence technologies.

Establishing this facility would have far-reaching benefits for India's aerospace sector. It would foster a culture of innovation, attract skilled personnel, and potentially create opportunities for commercial engine testing services, generating economic benefits.

Critics argue that the delay in funding reflects a broader hesitancy or bureaucratic inertia that could hinder India's ambitions to become a leader in aerospace technology. The need for high-altitude testing has been emphasized in numerous reports and discussions, with experts highlighting the strategic and operational disadvantages of not possessing such capabilities domestically.

The establishment of a high-altitude engine test facility would allow GTRE to accelerate the development of engines like the Kaveri, critical for powering India's next generation of fighter aircraft. The MoD's timely approval of this proposal would demonstrate a strong commitment to indigenous defence development and propel India towards its goal of becoming a global aerospace powerhouse.

 

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[chris]

Always putting the cart before the horse. Standard Indian fantasy. Psychotic and irrational.

 

[Foxbat]

If MoD hasn't approved the required funds set up High Altitude Engine Test Facility yet than what does the GoI emphasis on " Make in India" initiatives means? But the bureaucrats in GoI has been dragging their feet for donkey years to realise the imminent threats and need to urgently narrow the gap in declining number of fighter squadrons in the IAF and approve the fundings to procure long overdue 114 MRFA. If a two front war breaks out with china and pakistan our military without fewer fighter aircrafts the air force in particular is going to stretched thin and quickly worn out due to overworking.

 

[sanket]

That's a good move by GTRE. 1600 crore is not a big amount compared to the time wasted and charges paid for testing. Plus, critical data and engine tech are shared with Russia. It will fast-track the development of the Kaveri engine and its derivatives. As I already said, this had to be done a decade ago. By now, the Kaveri engine would have been ready with fine-tuning. As the GE saga continues, this facility will definitely be helpful. GTRE was also not provided with a twin-engine fighter jet as a testbed for testing the Kaveri engine, while 21 MiG-29s were available in Russia at a throwaway price. This is the real condition of GTRE, and some fanboys of GE samosa chai think GTRE can develop the Kaveri engine within no time with peanuts for funds and a lack of test facilities. After Kaveri, the derivative AMCA engine development will be handy, so in the future, too, it will assist in developing higher-thrust engines.

 

[Hari Sud]

Reject this request. Use Russian facility to test. Use Rs 1600/- crores for other development effort.

 

[Admiral kanhoji angre]

Airforce could've weighed in this matter and spent that sum but as always 'we want MATURE system' made them myopic.

 

[Anant]

Exceptionally important. This needs to be green-lit immediately. That said, even thoughthis facility can simulate high altitude conditions, we need a FTB immediately as well.

 

[Anant]

Reject this request. Use Russian facility to test. Use Rs 1600/- crores for other development effort.

Absolutely not! This is critical infrastructure that we need to have in order to streamline our engine development establishment.

 

[sunnyp343]

Great but late.

 

[sanket]

Reject this request. Use Russian facility to test. Use Rs 1600/- crores for other development effort.

Latest example, see how price escalation & delay by GE in both GE-414 & GE-404 Engine deal this is how US is Going to deal with unless Bharat becomes Atmanirbhar in Engine

 

[Alok Gupta]

Reject this request. Use Russian facility to test. Use Rs 1600/- crores for other development effort.

Why should India remain dependent on other countries and be a slave to them. Developing jet engines is very crucial to the development of aeronotical industry. India can keep dreaming of 5th gen and 6th gen planes, but without a worthy engine, these will remain dreams. It is high time India devoted money to develop the infrastructure for high end engines and testing centes for avionics.

 

[P.K.Chaudhuri]

It is essential to have this high altitude testing facility. It must be planned as per long term requirements. Let us focus on self reliance.

 

[Senapati]

High altitude simulated test facility is required for Engine development tests.
We should have it in India to avoid depending on foreign countries.
Having said that our engineers should give a reliable engine at reasonable time and cost.
Lack of this facility should not be an excuse.

 

[Abhifense]

GTRE should have included the cost of acquiring the flying testbed and asked for both combined. ₹1600 crore is insignificant compared to the pride, respect, and monetary benefits it will bring India in the long run.

 

[Puneet]

Why not nudge the private sector to establish such a facility. It will give good returns. Aerospace companies should be interested if given adequate incentives and surety of business. HAL's monopoly is not conducive to growth of the aerospace sector.

 

[Marcus]

India need to focus on different version of jet engine instead on relying on foreign counterparts, increase of defense budget to 100-120 billion USD is the need of hour.

 

[Prodyut]

Is a FTB AND a HSTB at the same time not a case of overkill? There is always whining about inadequate funds. I hope there is clear plans on how to use it. I remember seeing a dual circuit wind tunnel where doves were nesting.

 

[GolGappa]

Provide them at 0 interest long term loan, so that they can start paying back by charging for tests from various PSU or pvt sector.

 

[Ramesh Muthuramalingam]

The entire engine development should be shifted out of GTRE to a private sector. It cannot be a 9 to 5 job, after investing billions. The project is already delayed by about 3 decades. Sheer incompetence.

This investment is miniscule compared to the business value of the imports and the possible export business lost.

Stop the scientists from going to Russia for testing. Ignore the pessimists. Encourage investments. Create skills and capabilities. Make it inclusive and understand the value of time.

 

[ramdas]

What have they been occupied with all these years, quietly tending to the process of hatching eggs? It's concerning to think that any delays in government funding could lead to rising expenses, complicating their efforts even further.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Airforce could've weighed in this matter and spent that sum but as always 'we want MATURE system' made them myopic.

GTRE doesn't come inside IAF, it's under MOD and GOI. It is not IAF job to setup labs.

 

[Aravind Raveendran]

Money is to be spent priority wise and this must be one the top must haves for our nation.

 

[Sreedhar Radhakrishna]

Can we not use an existing IL76 from our own Airforce, with all instrumentations and modifications to mount the new engines that need to be tested. This can save costs. 1600 cr looks huge. Money could be utilised better.

 

[Preet]

Can we not use an existing IL76 from our own Airforce, with all instrumentations and modifications to mount the new engines that need to be tested. This can save costs. 1600 cr looks huge. Money could be utilised better.

Thats the issue.. u all keep crying when we have no facility, nd then when they want, u cry on the costs..
every engine has to go through the Ground Testing before it can fly.. nd these are one time investments..
similarly upgrading an IL76 would need an additional 1500-2000Cr bcoz it has to be equipped with all types of sensors and machines to see how the engine is performing at variuos stages.. but these investments have to be made..

 

[kumar]

Atleast now the GOI can allocate funding for such critical test facilities. We have been pennywise pound foolish for decades. Atleast now we can wakeup and approve such facilities. Also, approve FTB also.

 

[Admiral kanhoji angre]

GTRE doesn't come inside IAF, it's under MOD and GOI. It is not IAF job to setup labs.

IAF's job is not only to fly the planes but manage "security & resilience" of it's own supply chains.

Only lazy PPL treat it as authority issue. Navy does it regularly

 

[Varaaah]

There is enough money. Just stop all foreign exercises of the IAF, IN and IA for a while and then use that money for these kind of priority projects. But then, it is very very difficult not to behave as a chumcha of foreign powers and to control the greed of some high positioned people.

 

[Muthukumar Ponnambalam]

For sure they need such test facilities, as without such testing facilities, one can't qualify the engine.

BUT GTRE should be held fully accountable.

 

[Shanker]

Reject this request. Use Russian facility to test. Use Rs 1600/- crores for other development effort.

I second your opinion. We don't have any other engine being under development. Kaveri engine is tested once in a blue moon. This facility will remain idle gathering dust. Unless, developed countries refuse to test the Kaveri engine, there's no sense for building this facility!

 

[Dragon]

According to India's budget in 2021–22, its direct overseas aid stood at ₹18,154 crore (US$2.1 billion). As per the revised estimates for 2023-24, the Indian government provided ₹6,541.79 crore to foreign governments. This surpassed the budget estimates of ₹5,848.58 crore for 2023-24. The estimate for 2024-25 is 5,667.56 crore.