India develops first indigenous 350-kg thrust-class expendable turbojet engine
New Delhi, July 24. India has successfully developed its first indigenous expendable turbojet engine in the 350-kg thrust class, marking a significant milestone in the country’s aerospace and defence technology capabilities.
The engine has been designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), while Hyderabad-based Azad Engineering was selected as the industry partner for its manufacturing and assembly.
According to the Ministry of Defence, Azad Engineering successfully realised and delivered the engine to GTRE on July 22. The achievement is the result of years of precision engineering, advanced manufacturing and collaboration between India’s scientific and industrial communities.
Jet engine technology is considered among the most complex engineering disciplines and is mastered by only a limited number of countries. It requires high levels of precision, advanced metallurgy and stringent manufacturing standards. The successful delivery of the engine, based on a DRDO design, reflects the growing technological capabilities of India’s domestic defence industry, the ministry said.
The engine was formally handed over by Azad Engineering CEO Rakesh Chopdar to Distinguished Scientist and Director General (Aeronautical Systems) K Rajalakshmi Menon and Outstanding Scientist and Director of GTRE SV Ramanamurty.
Defence Secretary, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh congratulated GTRE and Azad Engineering, saying their partnership had played a crucial role in translating the development vision into a significant technological milestone for India’s aerospace and defence ecosystem.
