Explained: Why India’s first indigenous expendable turbojet engine is a historic breakthrough

India has achieved something that only a handful of countries in the world can claim, by developing its first indigenous expendable turbojet engine in the 350 kg thrust class. The engine could support future cruise missiles, loitering munitions and high-speed unmanned systems, reducing dependence on overseas suppliers.

For the first time, India has successfully developed an indigenous expendable turbojet engine in the 350 kg thrust class. Designed by DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) and manufactured by Hyderabad-based Azad Engineering, the engine was delivered to GTRE on July 22, 2026.

It is a major technological milestone that could strengthen India’s future missile and drone programmes.

DRDO’s new 350 kg thrust engine marks a big leap for Indian defence 

So, what exactly is an expendable turbojet engine?

Think of a jet engine as a machine that breathes air. It pulls air in from the front, compresses it, mixes it with fuel, burns the mixture, and throws the hot gases out from the back. That powerful exhaust creates thrust, pushing the vehicle forward at high speed. The engine powers a missile or an unmanned weapon system until it reaches its target. It is designed for just one mission. Once the mission is complete, the engine is destroyed along with the weapon. Since it is never reused, it must be compact, dependable, and cost-effective while still delivering reliable performance.

What will this engine power?

This engine is designed for the next generation of precision strike weapons. It can power long-range cruise missiles that fly hundreds of kilometres to hit strategic targets with accuracy. It can also be used in jet-powered loitering munitions, often called “kamikaze drones.” These systems can remain in the air, search for targets, and strike when the right opportunity appears. The engine is also suitable for high-speed unmanned aerial vehicles, anti-ship missiles, and other precision-guided weapons that require sustained subsonic flight. In short, it gives India another important capability for modern warfare.

Why is this a big achievement?

Because building a jet engine is one of the toughest engineering challenges anywhere in the world.

A successful engine must operate under extreme temperatures and pressures. It requires advanced metallurgy, precision machining, specialised coatings and high-performance materials. Many countries can build aircraft or missiles but only few can build the engines that power them. That is why jet engine technology is often regarded as one of the last frontiers of aerospace engineering.

Why does it matter strategically?

Modern wars are changing. Instead of relying only on fighter aircraft, countries increasingly use long-range missiles and unmanned systems to strike important targets. These weapons are often cheaper than fighter jets, can be produced in larger numbers, and eliminate the risk to pilots.

Self Reliance

Having an indigenous engine means India does not have to depend on foreign suppliers for one of the most critical components of these weapons. It also means the country can produce, upgrade, and improve these systems whenever required without worrying about technology restrictions or supply disruptions.

A journey that began decades ago

This achievement did not happen overnight. India’s effort to master jet engine technology began in the late 1980s with the Kaveri engine programme. The goal was ambitious: develop an indigenous engine for the Light Combat Aircraft, now known as the Tejas. The programme faced technical challenges. Despite years of work, the engine could not achieve the performance required for the fighter aircraft, and in 2008 it was separated from the Tejas programme. That was as a setback but the experience gained was invaluable. Those lessons became the foundation for future programmes.

Today‘s expendable turbojet engine is one of the outcomes of that long journey.

Who else has this technology?

Only a small number of countries have developed expendable turbojet engines for advanced military applications. The list includes the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Russia, China, and now India. Joining this group reflects years of investment in research, manufacturing, and engineering capability.

The bottom line

This engine may never attract the same attention as a fighter jet or a missile launch, but it is one of the technologies that make those systems possible.

It strengthens India’s ability to build advanced cruise missiles, loitering munitions, and unmanned combat systems using indigenous technology.

More importantly, it shows how decades of research, including lessons learned from the Kaveri programme, are beginning to translate into real operational capability.

India’s first expendable turbojet engine is not the end of the journey. It is another important step towards building a complete indigenous aerospace ecosystem, where the country designs not only the platforms, but also the engines that power them.

News is originally taken from: https://bit.ly/4x8M9KA

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