Kaveri Engine Derivative Set for Crucial Inflight Trials in Russia, Focusing on Upgrade Validation for Powering Future Tejas Variants and RPSA UCAV

The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) is gearing up for crucial inflight trials of the Kaveri Engine Derivative (KDE) in Russia later this year. According to officials speaking at Aero India 2025, these trials will focus on validating recent upgrades and modifications to the engine, paving the way for its use in future indigenous aircraft programs.

The KDE, a derivative of the original Kaveri engine, has undergone significant improvements. Older Kaveri engines were modified and used as testbeds for the KDE program, allowing GTRE to validate many of the engine's parameters, including its target dry thrust of 49kN.

However, the latest KDE units feature upgraded components that require further validation to ensure their performance and reliability. While extensive testing has already been conducted, these upcoming trials in Russia are critical for confirming the engine's operational readiness.

GTRE officials have indicated that the KDE is primarily intended for the 13-tonne Rapid Personal Surveillance Aircraft (RPSA) Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) program.

However, they are also keen to integrate the KDE into older Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Limited Series Production (LSP) airframes for testing. This will allow GTRE to gather valuable flight data, which will be instrumental in the development of the proposed Kaveri 2.0 engine.

The Kaveri 2.0 is envisioned as a more powerful successor to the KDE, with a target thrust of 90kN. This enhanced thrust would make it suitable for powering advanced variants of the Tejas and potentially other future combat aircraft. Successfully developing the Kaveri 2.0 would be a major step towards self-reliance in aero-engine technology for India.

Currently, the KDE generates 49kN of dry thrust and is expected to achieve 73-75kN with an afterburner. While this is insufficient for the Tejas Mk1A, which requires a more powerful engine like the GE-414, it is well-suited for the RPSA UCAV program.

By conducting these inflight trials in Russia and subsequently on the Tejas LSP airframes, GTRE aims to gather crucial performance data and validate the KDE's capabilities. This will not only support the RPSA UCAV program but also lay the groundwork for the development of the more ambitious Kaveri 2.0 engine, bringing India closer to its goal of achieving self-sufficiency in combat aircraft engine technology.

 

[sanket]

That's good development, but I would like to see Kaveri being tested on the MiG-29 rather than the LCA LSP, which is single-engine, while the MiG-29 is twin-engine. It can be tested with one Russian engine against the Kaveri; even if one fails, the jet can land on the other, and also important data can be collected. As I have said several times, Kaveri 2.0 is being fine-tuned to produce 90 kN thrust with flat-rated technology. It will outperform the current GE-404 engine powering the Tejas Mk1A, so definitely, the improved Kaveri dry variant is likely to exceed thrust over 50 kN, plus 54 kN.

 

[abhinav srivastava]

LIFT trainer should be designed with Kaveri engine.

 

[KVS]

This is a stale news!
I remember to have read about it a week back elsewhere. Additionally, I haven't heard that Tejas MK1a needs GE 414 than the 404 version.When was it indicated?

 

[GMR]

It is still such a long journey ahead for Kaveri that any observation now will have no value.

 

[obiwankenubi jedi]

The Kaveri program, like the Tejas, has been systematically sabotaged for 30 years with "sanctions," denial of technology, brain drain, corruption, material "failures," "delays" in test facilities, "bureaucracy," industrial espionage, and of course design "issues," and lack of hot section "expertise."

This has been done at the behest of our neighbours, OEMs, arms dealers, foreign nations, the West in general, and executed by our own for money in kickbacks, "donations," power/designations, international assignments, overseas relocation, better positions, and high-paying jobs in the West!

Our own "strategic" partners have denied us this, including Russia, France, and the USA, and continue to do so for vested interests!

This has ensured that till date we are dependent on foreign OEMs and ToTs; and not only Kaveri but Tejas and MMRCA/MRFA by design and intent have "failed" multiple times!

This must change, as even the common man sees this, and governments over the last three decades have known and failed to deliver with ulterior motives and vested interests, and the execution lacking purpose and intent very clearly visible to the world!

This really needs mission mode like our Nuclear submarines, Aircraft carriers, etc., over the decades.

 

[Rinku Pandey]

Great news. Kaveri 2.0 should be made. First Bharat needs all the infra. Everytime we have to run to another country for testing. But as Rajnathji said this year there will be a revolution in defence production and Bharat will leap a decade or two.

 

[Pankaj]

Now it's time to develop an engine testing facility without wasting any more time, as for each and every bit of change in engine components, we have to rush to Russia for performance evaluation. The whole process is time-taking and dependent. Being a dual-engine, use the Mig 29 as a testbed and quickly develop an engine testing site. All these things need to be done within 6 months on a mission mode. Only then will we get the engine ready for integration in Tejas Mk1a in 4-5 years.

 

[Mythbuster]

That's good development, but I would like to see Kaveri being tested on the MiG-29 rather than the LCA LSP, which is single-engine, while the MiG-29 is twin-engine. It can be tested with one Russian engine against the Kaveri; even if one fails, the jet can land on the other, and also important data can be collected. As I have said several times, Kaveri 2.0 is being fine-tuned to produce 90 kN thrust with flat-rated technology. It will outperform the current GE-404 engine powering the Tejas Mk1A, so definitely, the improved Kaveri dry variant is likely to exceed thrust over 50 kN, plus 54 kN.

I agree we should test on a dedicated Mi-29 which can be used as a testbed for testing Kaveri.

 

[P.K Senapati]

We are waiting to see the Kaveri dry derivative flight test result in the Il76 test bed in Russia. Then it can be put to a UCAV. Also, further flight tests in a Tejas test bed. Then comes weight reduction and integrating an afterburner to get 85 to 90kN thrust. Then only fit for GE replacement in Tejas.

 

[Bhishma]

Get a Boeing testbed. Since they are on a selling spree it will work out for both of us.

 

[Bhishma]

F404 dry thrust is 48.9KN, KDE is 49KN? Looks pretty close. Why is it not Tejas worthy?

 

[sanket]

I agree we should test on a dedicated Mi-29 which can be used as a testbed for testing Kaveri.

Hundreds of times I have said in 2019 that 21 old MiG-29s were offered by Russia at a throwaway price, but the IAF didn't show any interest at that time. By now, they would have been handy. One full squadron of MiG-29s could have been handed over to GTRE, and the remaining 20 MiG-29s should have been upgraded with the Uttam AESA radar, HAL-developed mission computer, sensors, pods, SDR, and, in terms of weapons, integrated with the Astra BVR series, Rudram family, SAAW, and Brahmos-NG to convert them into a potential platform. But the IAF was more interested in buying old Mirage-2000s, which Dassault hasn't shown any interest in upgrading with the RBE-2 derivative AESA radar plus Meteor missile. After a couple of years, the Mirage-2000 would be a vintage fighter jet, going from multirole capability to a ground attack fighter, that too under the escort of MiG-29s. Currently, the Mirage-2000 has MICA missiles, which have a 60 km odd range. But on the other hand, the F-16s have been regularly upgraded and have been pitched in MRFA 2025. All three—Mirage-2000, MiG-29, and F-16—are of the same era, yet the Mirage-2000 has fallen back as a vintage fighter jet.

 

[Man H]

F404 dry thrust is 48.9KN, KDE is 49KN? Looks pretty close. Why is it not Tejas worthy?

It's 0.1 KN less and our forces can't make foreign trips on pretext of checking the production schedule.

 

[Krishnendu C]

KDE was sent to Russia in the 1st week of January for inflight testing spanning 70 hrs. What was done for one-and-half month?

 

[Sandeep]

India needs to test the engine in real life conditions now before it can start production on a large scale. It recently passed simulated high altitude test in Russia’s which was a major achievement and most difficult test to succeed. We definitely need to continue future research and development in jet engines as we can use an indigenous engine to replace the F404 or F414 engines when it’s time to replace them. As this will be used on the upcoming stealth drone UCAV Ghatak we need to ensure that the IR signature is reduced even further during its flights.

Now we also need to quickly finish researching and developing the Kaveri Marine Engine. During its test it gave a reliable and stable amount of power which can be used to install an indigenous engine.

 

[Senapati]

It will be better if Kaveri dry derivative can be integrated with AB nozzle developed by Brahmosh Aerospace and offered to ADA for integration into Tejas prototype for conducting flight test.
If the combination can generate 80 plus kn of thrust and is reliable it can be used in trainer version of Tejas.

 

[Ajay Singha]

That's good development, but I would like to see Kaveri being tested on the MiG-29 rather than the LCA LSP, which is single-engine, while the MiG-29 is twin-engine. It can be tested with one Russian engine against the Kaveri; even if one fails, the jet can land on the other, and also important data can be collected. As I have said several times, Kaveri 2.0 is being fine-tuned to produce 90 kN thrust with flat-rated technology. It will outperform the current GE-404 engine powering the Tejas Mk1A, so definitely, the improved Kaveri dry variant is likely to exceed thrust over 50 kN, plus 54 kN.

Partner with Rolls-Royce for ToT...that will allow advanced metallurgy and components, along with core and other design mods to exceed 404 level performance. Should target 414 level performance.

 

[Dipak]

The least India could do is shore up its metallurgical research if it wants to end reliance on foreign firms for fighter aircraft engines. High temp requires advanced high-temperature-resistant materials which we do not have; GTRE cannot do anything until we have this tech. MIDHANI's failure has resulted in GTRE's loss of face. Instead of fighter ToT, we should look for material research partnerships with Brazil, Israel, Germany, and Japan.

 

[Dipak]

We need advanced powertrains for our armoured vehicles, aircraft, and UAVs, all requiring ultralight engines. Our Arjun tank was too heavy, as was the Kaveri's thrust-to-weight ratio; our Tapas UAV all have issues with power-to-weight ratios. We took three decades of research and testing and ended up with engines that are good only for trucks. Even Iran does better.

 

[sandy 007]

That's good development, but I would like to see Kaveri being tested on the MiG-29 rather than the LCA LSP, which is single-engine, while the MiG-29 is twin-engine. It can be tested with one Russian engine against the Kaveri; even if one fails, the jet can land on the other, and also important data can be collected. As I have said several times, Kaveri 2.0 is being fine-tuned to produce 90 kN thrust with flat-rated technology. It will outperform the current GE-404 engine powering the Tejas Mk1A, so definitely, the improved Kaveri dry variant is likely to exceed thrust over 50 kN, plus 54 kN.

Our problem is that we think small, not bolder or big. We should make Kaveri 2 with 120 KN thrust and later increase the thrust to 140 or 150 KN. Making a Kaveri engine that can generate dry thrust power of more than 70 to 90 KN can achieve several hurdles. But our GTRE is not seeing the bigger impact. More KN of power can let you down to a certain minus 4 to 6 KN, but it will be more reliable and efficient. But once you make a Kaveri engine for 60 KN, it can decrease up to 55 KN also, which means more R&D, which only tells you, do you have enough budget for this? I will say no. Then why not be overambitious on thrust? Take the help of friendly countries and do R&D as early as possible. The MOD must give money for eight engines, but only four each are needed for dry thrust and wet thrust checking. DRDO must work on it. ISRO is also keen on making jet engines. DRDO must involve them also for higher thrust variant engines.

 

[nivas9531]

One side china integrating every year new tech and new stealth f.j,s.
India is under trails for decades. The Tejas , kaveri engine certified by safron and passes tests in Russia about 7 years back.
But still saying using for drones and testing for another decade.
Even raffale engine is not more superior than kaveri specs.
Though passing the time means buying assurance for GE engines for another decade by siphoning Indian taxpayers money to America, for huge kickbacks. Great political parties. Great people all about andhbhakts

 

[dunla52]

LIFT trainer should be designed with Kaveri engine.

People who are running Kaveri are Idiots why send to Russia? Why can't we build testing facility here wasting 40 yrs