Relevance: GS-3 (Defence Technology)

Source: PIB, DRDO publications, defence analyses

Context

India’s indigenous Kaveri jet engine, launched in 1986 for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), failed to meet thrust and reliability standards even after three decades of development. This exposed critical gaps in India’s aero-engine capability.

Why the Engine Failed

• Weak coordination between research agencies (DRDO–GTRE) and manufacturing partner (HAL).
• Lack of advanced materials such as single-crystal turbine blades.
• Limited high-altitude and thermal testing facilities.
• Absence of a strong private-sector supply chain in aero-engine components.

Implications

• India’s next-generation fighter aircraft remain dependent on foreign engines.
• This dependence affects strategic autonomy in defence preparedness.
• Co-development and joint ventures with global engine manufacturers have become essential.

Prelims Value Box

• Turbofan jet engines: Require high-temperature alloys, precision-engineered blades, and long-duration testing to achieve required thrust (90–120 kN for fighter jets).
• Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE): A DRDO laboratory and India’s lead organisation for military aero-engine development.

Prelims Practice Question

Q. With reference to indigenous fighter-jet engines in India, consider the following statements:

1. The Kaveri engine was originally intended for the Light Combat Aircraft.
2. Failure to achieve required thrust was one of the main reasons it was not inducted.
3. India currently has full indigenous capacity to produce single-crystal turbine blades.

How many statements are correct?

A. One only
B. Two only
C. All three
D. None