Government committed to indigenous aero engine development: Rajnath
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said the Government is committed to the development of aero engines and described the process as an extremely complex endeavour, integrating thermodynamics, material science, fluid mechanics and advanced mechanical engineering.
He made this assertion during his visit to Bengaluru to the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE). Rajnath Singh reviewed the status of ongoing projects relating to indigenous military gas turbine engine development, the defence ministry said. He also visited the exhibition showcasing various indigenous engines and their parts, and witnessed the full afterburner engine test of the Kaveri engine.
Interacting with the scientists and officials, Raksha Mantri praised GTRE for its efforts towards bolstering national security through self-reliance, describing the DRDO as the foundation of India’s strategic capability. He underscored the critical importance of achieving Aatmanirbharta in aero engine technology in the present rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, and stated that every effort is being made to prioritise the development of aero engines in India.
Acknowledging the GTRE’s efforts in this critical technology domain, Rajnath Singh exhorted the lab to strive and focus on next-generation engines by building a nationwide robust ecosystem, while achieving self-reliance in aero engines.
He described aero engine development as an extremely complex endeavour, integrating thermodynamics, material science, fluid mechanics and advanced mechanical engineering.
Noting that even developed nations often take 25-30 years to develop next-generation engines, he urged Indian scientists to compress timelines in view of the nation’s strategic needs.
Referring to Operation Sindoor, Rajnath Singh emphasised that during the operation, the defence forces demonstrated India’s growing Aatmanirbharta in the defence sector.
The defence minister praised the GTRE for the joint study with the UK for aero engine development, adding that the process has been initiated with France as well for aero engines under the National Aero Engine Mission. “Both France and the UK are very advanced in aero engine technology. These collaborations will not only provide us with the opportunity to learn new technologies, but also help us to understand the challenges they have faced over the past decades,” he said.
Rajnath Singh also highlighted the dual-use potential of such complex technologies, stating that GTRE is making high-temperature composites, which could significantly benefit civil aviation, power generation and space sectors in the future.
He stated that India is one of the fastest-growing civil aviation markets in the world, and technological advancements achieved today in defence aero engines could play a transformative role in civil aviation and economic growth tomorrow.
