India has achieved a major milestone in indigenous aerospace propulsion technology with the successful development of its first indigenous Expendable Turbo Jet Engine in the 350 kg thrust class. The engine, designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), was successfully realised and delivered by Hyderabad-based Azad Engineering on July 22.
GTRE had selected Azad Engineering as its industry partner for the manufacturing and assembly of the engine. The successful delivery marks the culmination of years of precision engineering, advanced manufacturing and close collaboration between India’s scientific and industrial communities.
The engine was formally handed over by Azad Engineering CEO Rakesh Chopdar to Distinguished Scientist and Director General (Aeronautical Systems) Dr. K. Rajalakshmi Menon and Outstanding Scientist and Director, GTRE, Dr. S. V. Ramanamurty.
Jet engine technology is regarded as one of the world’s most complex engineering disciplines, requiring exceptional precision, advanced metallurgy and stringent manufacturing standards. According to the Defence Ministry, only a handful of countries have mastered this capability, making the successful development of the indigenous expendable turbo jet engine a significant achievement for India’s aerospace and defence ecosystem.
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the successful delivery of the engine, based on a DRDO design, reflects the growing technological capabilities of the Indian defence industry and its ability to manufacture highly sophisticated propulsion systems.
Defence Secretary and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, and Chairman, DRDO, Rajesh Kumar Singh congratulated GTRE and its industry partner, saying their collaboration had been instrumental in transforming the vision into a historic milestone for the country’s defence and aerospace sector.
