New Delhi: India has successfully developed its first indigenous expendable turbojet engine in the 350 kg-thrust class, the Ministry of Defence said on 23 July 2026.
The engine was designed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment, a laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation.
Hyderabad-based Azad Engineering, selected by GTRE as the industry partner, manufactured and assembled the engine.
The engine was successfully realised and delivered to GTRE on 22 July 2026.
According to the ministry, the development reflects the growing technological capabilities of India’s defence industry and the strengthening of collaboration between DRDO laboratories and private-sector manufacturers.
The ministry said jet-engine technology requires exceptional precision, advanced metallurgy and stringent manufacturing standards and is mastered by only a limited number of countries.
Azad Engineering Chief Executive Officer Rakesh Chopdar handed over the engine to Director General of Aeronautical Systems Dr K Rajalakshmi Menon and GTRE Director Dr SV Ramanamurty.
Defence Secretary, Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh congratulated the GTRE team and Azad Engineering on the achievement.
The ministry described the development as the culmination of sustained engineering work and close collaboration between India’s scientific and industrial communities.
The official release did not disclose the platform for which the engine has been designed, its operational specifications, production plans or possible induction timeline.
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