India Edges Closer To Mastering Complex Jet Engine Tech With Latest Full Afterburner Trials of Kaveri Engine

In a landmark event for Indian aerospace capability, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh witnessed a successful full afterburner test of the indigenous Kaveri engine earlier this week.

The test, conducted at the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) in Bengaluru on February 16, marks a critical step forward in India’s quest to develop its own high-performance jet engines for combat aircraft.

A New Spark with BrahMos Technology​

For decades, the Kaveri programme faced a persistent technical hurdle: generating enough "wet thrust" (the extra power produced when fuel is injected directly into the exhaust stream) to power supersonic fighter jets.

While earlier versions of the engine’s afterburner could only reach a combined thrust of roughly 73 kilonewtons (kN), they fell short of the power required for modern agile combat.

The latest test showcased a redesigned afterburner module developed in collaboration with BrahMos Aerospace, the joint venture best known for its supersonic cruise missiles.

This new system is engineered to deliver a significant boost, targeting a peak thrust of 81–83 kN.

This performance leap—an increase of over 60% compared to the engine's normal operation—places the Kaveri in the same power class as the American GE F404 engine, which currently powers the Tejas Mk1 fighter fleet (rated at approximately 84 kN).

Solid Foundation: The Dry Kaveri​

The success of the afterburner builds upon the reliable performance of the core engine, known as the "Dry Kaveri" or Kaveri Derivative Engine (KDE). Recent ground and altitude trials have confirmed that this core engine can consistently deliver nearly 49–51 kN of dry thrust.

This stable baseline is already being adapted for strategic unmanned platforms. Specifically, the Dry Kaveri is slated to power the DRDO Ghatak, India’s upcoming stealth Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV).

However, the addition of a functional, high-power afterburner reopens the possibility of using the Kaveri for manned fighters in the future, potentially as a powerplant for the Tejas Mk1A or as a technology bridge for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme.

Strategic Independence​

The ability to build jet engines is often considered the "Holy Grail" of defence technology, a capability currently possessed by only a handful of nations (the US, Russia, France, the UK, and China).

India’s reliance on foreign engines has historically been a vulnerability, creating dependency on external supply chains.

During his visit, Defence Minister Singh emphasised that mastering this technology is essential for Aatmanirbharta.

He urged scientists to accelerate development timelines, noting that while other nations took decades to mature these technologies, India must leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) and advanced materials to close the gap rapidly.

He further stressed the need to look beyond current standards, encouraging research into sixth-generation propulsion technologies.

This successful trial signals that the Kaveri, once written off by some critics, has evolved into a potent platform.

By integrating the high-speed expertise of BrahMos with GTRE's engine core, India is edging closer to breaking the monopoly on fighter jet propulsion.

 

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[manivannan]

So no need of safran tech? Gtre will build own engine for amca? Huge public money will be saved? Write something for these questions.

 

[manivannan]

Fastrack tejes mk2 so that no need of rafale with huge cost.

 

[Vivek_Singh]

Congratulations to all the scientists and engineers, but the success is far from over. The weight to thrust ratio of Kaveri is still underpar, hence a single jet fighter plane will have limited capability to carry missiles and fuel, this needs reduction in weight.

My view is still, keep improving the Kaveri and use it for Tejas mk1a if GE keeps on delaying their engines. This will atleast ensure the squadron will be in a flying condition and if IAF needs them urgently, HAL can assemble them quickly and hand it over.

 

[FROST]

Mr. Raghav is just writing what is said by GTRE which is trying to fool the Govt and people. As usual the Govt and people also act as though they believe GTRE. Dies it take decades to develop an engine. Are the engineers employed from unknown or fictitious institutes? God save this country from inept Govt agencies

 

[Lakshman_322]

I think we will see significant improvements with the established new iso thermal press for single crystal turbine blades. We can match the F414 in 5 years. Maybe.

The need of the hour is 6th gen variable cycle engine.

 

[aeroindia]

Don't create unnecessary hype. Let them deliver engines for atleast one squadron of Tejas and then let their performance talk. They have burnt enough money past 40 years.

 

[Raghupati Singh]

This is marvelous achivement of our sciencetist

 

[OpenMindIndian]

The slow pace of development mirrors the story of technology denial that ISRO faced in the 1990s during the development of the indigenous cryogenic satteltlite launch vehicle, due to sanctions from US. The then government however continued to rely on ISRO and they delivered. Today we make our own cryogenic launch vehicle and ISRO is well respected globally. Sooner or later DRDO also will come through. And remember the ISRO scientists come from the same Institutes /colleges from where the DRDO scientists come.

 

[R. Singh]

GTRE should further upgrade Kaveri dry thrust to 60+Kn and wet thrust to 90-95 KN seeking tech support from Rolls Royce ! Let Safran to focus on 120-140+ KN class development for AMCA !

 

[manivannan]

Oh good. Safran eating not enough. Rr also eat indian money. Singh will give his own money.

 

[manivannan]

Let gtre take enough time and fund. But build own. No safran or any western agency.

 

[Rajivalochan]

Illiterate public write stupid criticism. Ask OEMs to know the complexity of building a jet engine. Gtre is slow but solid in technology and Reliance, Russians (CIAM) vouch for this.

 

[Sun Beam]

Good to hear the latest information..... If the "Holy Grail" of Aero engine's is reached.......

 

[Sun Beam]

GTRE should further upgrade Kaveri dry thrust to 60+Kn and wet thrust to 90-95 KN seeking tech support from Rolls Royce ! Let Safran to focus on 120-140+ KN class development for AMCA !

The higher versions of the Aero engine might be with Safran & for 6th Gen engine, GTRE may go in collaboration with RR.....

 

[Sun Beam]

Don't create unnecessary hype. Let them deliver engines for atleast one squadron of Tejas and then let their performance talk. They have burnt enough money past 40 years.

Less money or no enough money.....

Let's wait for the outcomes

 

[Sun Beam]

Mr. Raghav is just writing what is said by GTRE which is trying to fool the Govt and people. As usual the Govt and people also act as though they believe GTRE. Dies it take decades to develop an engine. Are the engineers employed from unknown or fictitious institutes? God save this country from inept Govt agencies

Sorry.... There should the actual output & real outcomes......

 

[Sun Beam]

Congratulations to all the scientists and engineers, but the success is far from over. The weight to thrust ratio of Kaveri is still underpar, hence a single jet fighter plane will have limited capability to carry missiles and fuel, this needs reduction in weight.

My view is still, keep improving the Kaveri and use it for Tejas mk1a if GE keeps on delaying their engines. This will atleast ensure the squadron will be in a flying condition and if IAF needs them urgently, HAL can assemble them quickly and hand it over.

But, CMD HAL says no substitute for GE-404.......

 

[Vivek_Singh]

But, CMD HAL says no substitute for GE-404.......

HAL is in a catch 22 situation, where neither IAF, nor govt and now not even common citizens have any faith in them.
Delays in engine delivery for Tejas mk1a and lack of weapon clearance is a big NO for IAF, they're not ready to compromise. Now HAL is trying to keep GE closer so that F404 engines can be delivered faster while they focus on weapon clearance.

If the F404 engines continue to lag behind, ultimately IAF & HAL would have to take a call, and Kaveri is closest option they've right now as any other Safran or Rolls Royce engine will take atleast a decade to fit in to the airframe.

 

[RavishankarGV]

Don't create unnecessary hype. Let them deliver engines for atleast one squadron of Tejas and then let their performance talk. They have burnt enough money past 40 years.

China too took 40 years and spent several times more money simply because they were initially trying to make the RD33 Russian Engine parts without optimized design and hi temp alloys for hot core. Poor thrust (dry, wet) and thrust-weight ration. Now they built better engines, even testing a vce that only GE and P&W have, not even French Saffran.

India's AMCA engine is not incremental over Kaveri but greenfield design/dev, hopefully vce.

Japs collaborated with one of the leaders P&W by paying far higher fees to develop a new vce engine but there's no aircraft in sight to integrate into.

Kaveri Derivative (KDE) has D1 without afterburner and set to be used single engine, in our stealth UCAV. Consider every manned fighter will have 1-2 UCAV and you can imagine how many hundreds KDE D1 need to be built. KDE D2&3 have after burners this news. Integrating into Tejas1a a year, 1 year to test to get ioc, another year to test to get foc and assuming production facility set up in parallel implies we have to use GE404 for Tejas 1a for next 3 years after which remaining Tejas mk1 as well as Tejas mk2 could be rolling out with KDE D3 instead of GE404. Enough time for KDE D3 to improve thrust-weight ratio too so can stop buying GE404 from then on till Tejas 2 aircraft production moves to GE414 from 36th aircraft. In short, just in time for export possibilities. If additional Tejas 2 production line set up Tejas2 with GE414 36th aircraft onwards going to iaf this second line can have tejas2 with KDE D3 rolled out for exports. Raghav Patel yet to learn that "rolling out" does not mean production of prototypes but rolling out 1 or 2 aircrafts per month in fully tested (integrated with all weapons) usable condition for customer after ioc and foc. It's not that iaf is cautious, its to be fit for use in sorties against enemies. HAL is jumping the gun, buying a pram before a baby is born (height of expectations).

 

[RavishankarGV]

Fastrack tejes mk2 so that no need of rafale with huge cost.

Neither stealth Tejas mk2 nor Stealth AMCA can replace Rafale Mod 5. Existing Rafale Mod 3 get upgraded to Mod 5, so will first batch of Mod 4 aircrafts being bought as part of 114 rafales ascwell as 36 Rafale-Marine for Aurcraft Carriers. Ezactly like French Aur Force and Charkes de Gaul Aircraft Carrier. Even Mod 3 has SPECTRA (EWS: Electronic Warfare Suite) far superior to any in the world including US f35. Amazing sensor fusion management to have similar threat identification and situation awareness as f35 but an integrated, networked AI far superior to f35 to address every threat. No way PL15 could have downed a Rafale in Op Sindoor. This is why IAF cleared purchase of non stealth Rafale priced higher than f35. F35 is small single (but powerful f135 vce engine) but Rafale is twin engine (Safran M88 single non vce engine less thrust than f135), much bigger medium weight aircraft for deep strikes. Tejas even smaller than f35 and f404 engine half the thrust of f135 on f35. Tejas mk2 compares favourably with Swedish Gripen

 

[Lakshman_322]

Neither stealth Tejas mk2 nor Stealth AMCA can replace Rafale Mod 5. Existing Rafale Mod 3 get upgraded to Mod 5, so will first batch of Mod 4 aircrafts being bought as part of 114 rafales ascwell as 36 Rafale-Marine for Aurcraft Carriers. Ezactly like French Aur Force and Charkes de Gaul Aircraft Carrier. Even Mod 3 has SPECTRA (EWS: Electronic Warfare Suite) far superior to any in the world including US f35. Amazing sensor fusion management to have similar threat identification and situation awareness as f35 but an integrated, networked AI far superior to f35 to address every threat. No way PL15 could have downed a Rafale in Op Sindoor. This is why IAF cleared purchase of non stealth Rafale priced higher than f35. F35 is small single (but powerful f135 vce engine) but Rafale is twin engine (Safran M88 single non vce engine less thrust than f135), much bigger medium weight aircraft for deep strikes. Tejas even smaller than f35 and f404 engine half the thrust of f135 on f35. Tejas mk2 compares favourably with Swedish Gripen

The F135 is not a VCE engine. The Spectra EW suite alone is not responsible for missile jamming. It was working with Israeli X-guard podded deceiver units to defeat the PL15.

We now have operational data by using and training with the Spectra EW suite. We have the benchmark and indigenous system are currently being developed for AMCA.

 

[thrivefitsolutions]

Lets wait and see !