The first indigenous 350-kg power-level single-use turbojet engine was successfully designed and built by DRDO’s GTRE (Gas Turbine Research Establishment), with production support from the Hyderabad-based private company Azad Engineering. This marks a major achievement in Defence Self-Reliance, a path followed by a select group of nations.
Expendable turbojet engines are designed to be launched once in battle against enemy targets, unlike jet fighter engine technology. They will form an engine “package” for the next generation of air-to-surface long-range missiles, military drones with longer flight ranges, smart and roaming bombs (weapons), and other highly accurate attack systems, says Defence Industry Daily.
The success of this engine also signals India’s developing skills in advanced materials, high-accuracy engineering and aerospace systems. Defence sources feel that its entry into military service would significantly enhance our ability to replace imports of advanced engine systems and further promote self-reliance on our indigenous military network.
In an era where wars are slowly transforming into a battlefield of self-operating technology and long-distance smart warfare, a home-made engine for such a platform becomes crucial. With this, India boosts its technological capabilities and supports the nation’s drive towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat” for defence production. As further tests and weapon system integration proceed, the indigenous turbojet engine may become the foundation for India’s next-generation missiles and military drones.
