Indian Jet Engine Kaveri – Dry version finally arrives
Two fully complete indigenous jet engine assemblies have been delivered by Godrej Aerospace as the first of the production series unit of the Kaveri Dry Engine (KDE). This engine has been given the designation of Kaveri D-1.
With this the country has achieved a major milestone in indigenous jet engine development program, progressing from first building a few prototype engines and now to to serial production modules.
Earlier a few prototype engines had validated component integration, assembly process and thereafter endurance through ground and air testing. Now with D‑1 emphasis has shifted to production-level standardisation and modular delivery of key components.
Through this modular production methodology, various components like compressors, turbine stages, combustors, and accessory systems have been produced, tested, and supplied at precision standards required for series manufacturing. Modularisation enables scalability, easier maintenance, and faster assembly of subsequent series production engines.
This industrial achievement is also a strategic achievement, not only reducing reliance on foreign engine suppliers but also telling them that India now has an advancing capability in high-thrust military jet engines and even Ship propulsion systems. Kaveri D‑1 engines are now ready to support upcoming UAV, trainer jets and even fighter jets.
The KDE dry variant has been optimised for unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), stealth drones, and potential future twin-engine configurations. Next full swing work is already progressing on the Kaveri Wet engine, producing required thrust of 85+kN for Tejas Mk1A fighters. It has already produced 75kN and tested in flight.
Kaveri 2.0 powered by foreign collaboration too is in the offing for powering Tejas Mk2, AMCA and TEDBF.
Godrej Aerospace has already cemented it’s capacity to not only produce prototype but also achieve production-line maturity in high-performance turbofans. It has established itself as a principal industrial partner for DRDO-GTRE’s engine programs.
By mastering complex technologies such as single-crystal blades, combustion liners, and precision machining for hot sections, Godrej is creating a production ecosystem critical for sustaining long-term indigenous propulsion efforts.
