#FundKaveriEngine trend gains traction as India sends its indigenous fighter jet engine for testing in Russia
Kaveri jet engine
project. The hashtag #FundKaveriEngine surged to the top on X, with citizens, defence experts, and aviation enthusiasts urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to accelerate the development of India's indigenous jet engine. They see it as crucial for reducing dependence on foreign technology and strengthening national security.
What is the Kaveri engine and why was it developed?
The Kaveri engine is a turbojet propulsion system designed and built by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), part of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (
DRDO
). This twin-spool turbofan engine was originally intended to power the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, India's homegrown fighter jet. With a thrust capacity of 80 kilonewtons, the engine features a flat-rated design to reduce thrust loss at high speeds and temperatures. It also includes a sophisticated twin-lane Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system with manual override for reliability.
Conceived in the 1980s, the Kaveri engine was meant to symbolize India's move towards self-reliance in military aviation. However, in 2008, the engine was removed from the Tejas programme after failing to meet the required performance standards.
Why has the Kaveri engine been delayed?
The project has faced a tough road marked by technical, geopolitical, and infrastructural challenges. Developing an advanced engine from scratch demanded expertise India was still building. Critical materials, such as single-crystal turbine blades, were blocked by Western sanctions following India's 1998 nuclear tests. This made it difficult to meet the highest engineering standards.
Domestic testing facilities were lacking, forcing the programme to rely on Russia's Central Institute of Aviation Motors (CIAM) for high-altitude tests. Skilled aerospace engineers were in short supply, while a key partnership with French firm Snecma fell apart in 2013, costing India access to valuable core engine technology.
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These issues left the Kaveri engine heavier and less powerful than required. As a result, the Tejas jets switched to using American GE F404 and F414 engines.
Repurposing for future defence platforms
Though shelved for the Tejas, the Kaveri project is far from dead. DRDO is now testing the Kaveri engine in Russia, where about 25 hours of flight testing remain. Defence officials told ANI that these tests await available slots from Russian authorities. A derivative engine version is being developed for
Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles
(UCAVs), such as the upcoming Ghatak stealth drone. Private industry is also stepping in. Companies like Godrej Aerospace have started delivering engine modules, hinting that the project is gaining momentum after years of delays.
The Kaveri engine's future lies in powering India's indigenous long-range Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) programme, including the upcoming Ghatak stealth UCAV. Officials confirmed plans to install the Kaveri on one of the LCA aircraft to showcase its capabilities, signalling its potential comeback.
The Indian Navy also plays a key role. It is working on a maritime variant of the Kaveri engine, called the Kaveri Marine Gas Turbine (KMGT). Modified to drive ship propellers, the KMGT has undergone successful tests at Visakhapatnam Naval Dockyard. It produces 12 megawatts of power, enough to boost smaller warships during combat manoeuvres, although larger vessels like the Shivalik-class frigates rely on more powerful American turbines.
By 2016, India had spent nearly ₹3,000 crore on the Kaveri programme, according to former Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. While the project has faced criticism for cost overruns and delays, defence analysts highlight that the technology developed is a major asset. It has advanced India's expertise in aerospace materials, turbine dynamics, and indigenous testing capabilities.
As the engine moves towards powering UCAVs and naval platforms, the campaign to revive and fund Kaveri reflects a broader national desire for self-reliance in defence technology.
Social media push for faster progress
On 7 May, following Operation Sindoor, the #FundKaveriEngine hashtag went viral on social media. Defence experts and citizens alike expressed pride and impatience, calling for government support to complete the project.
One popular tweet stated, 'The Kaveri engine is a symbol of India's fight for independence in military aviation. We must support it to reduce foreign dependence.' Another user emphasised, 'Let's fund our own engines and power our future jets and drones.'
Here are some other tweets on the trend:
— ShaluKanwar07 (@ShaluKanwar07)
— shilpasahu432 (@shilpasahu432)
— kothimbir_vadi (@kothimbir_vadi)
This groundswell of support underscores a strategic push: moving beyond importing engines from the US, Russia, or France, and building indigenous capability instead.
India continues discussions with international firms from France, the UK, and the US to develop more powerful engines for future fighter jets, including the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Meanwhile, the Kaveri engine remains central to ambitions for a self-reliant defence ecosystem.
According to defence officials, 'There are plans to fit the Kaveri engine on one of the LCA aircraft and demonstrate its capabilities.' This shows a willingness to keep the indigenous engine programme alive despite past hurdles.
Ultimately, the Kaveri engine project embodies India's long-term vision: to secure its defence technology base and build homegrown platforms for the Indian Air Force and Navy.
While Kaveri's original role on the LCA has diminished, DRDO is concurrently working with foreign companies from France, the UK, and the US to develop a more powerful engine for future aircraft. These include the Mark 2 version of the LCA and the fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
India's push for indigenous fighter jet programmes—such as the LCA Mark 1A, Mark 2, and AMCA—aims to reduce reliance on imported engines and platforms. The success of Kaveri and its derivatives will be key to achieving this goal.
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