India Develops First Indigenous 350 kg Turbojet Engine
India develops first indigenous expendable turbo jet engine in 350 kg thrust class
India has developed its first indigenous Expendable Turbo Jet Engine in the 350 kg thrust class. The engine has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE).
The Ministry of Defence said the development of such a complex system based on DRDO’s design reflects the growing technological capabilities of the Indian defence industry. It said the achievement marks the culmination of years of precision engineering, advanced manufacturing and close collaboration between India’s scientific and industrial communities. The Ministry added that jet engine technology is regarded as one of the most sophisticated engineering disciplines in the world.
The engine was successfully realised and delivered to GTRE by Azad Engineering on Wednesday. It was handed over by Azad Engineering CEO Rakesh Chopdar to Distinguished Scientist and Director General (Aeronautical Systems), Dr K. Rajalakshmi Menon, and Outstanding Scientist and Director, GTRE, Dr S. V. Ramanamurty.
On the occasion, Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh congratulated GTRE and its industry partner, saying their collaboration has transformed the vision into a historic milestone.
India achieves milestone with first indigenous expendable turbojet engine (350 kg thrust)
India has crossed a significant technological milestone with the successful development of its first indigenous Expendable Turbo Jet Engine in the 350 kg thrust class. Designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), the engine demonstrates India’s advancing capabilities in high-precision propulsion systems and strengthens the nation’s strategic autonomy in defense manufacturing.
A complex engineering achievement
Turbojet technology sits among the most demanding engineering disciplines worldwide, requiring mastery of high-temperature materials, aerothermodynamics, precision machining and rigorous testing. The newly developed engine reflects years of focused research, iterative design, and advanced manufacturing practices led by GTRE. The Ministry of Defence highlighted that converting a DRDO design into a production-ready system signifies a maturing defense-industrial ecosystem in India, where scientific institutions and private industry collaborate closely.
Successful industry partnership and delivery
The engine was realised and manufactured by Azad Engineering and formally delivered to GTRE on Wednesday. Azad Engineering’s CEO, Rakesh Chopdar, handed over the completed unit to senior DRDO officials: Distinguished Scientist and Director General (Aeronautical Systems) Dr. K. Rajalakshmi Menon, and Outstanding Scientist and Director of GTRE, Dr. S. V. Ramanamurty. This handover underscores the vital role of private-sector partners in translating cutting-edge designs into quality hardware.
Strategic importance and future implications
Officials, including Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh, congratulated GTRE and Azad Engineering for transforming a long‑term vision into a tangible achievement. Indigenous expendable turbojet engines are primarily intended for applications such as target drones, decoys and other expendable aerial systems—areas where reliable, cost-effective propulsion is critical. Locally developed engines reduce dependence on imports, shorten supply chains, and allow Indian designers to iterate quickly for mission-specific needs. Beyond expendable platforms, the knowledge gained—materials expertise, manufacturing processes and quality control—feeds into broader aero-engine projects and advanced propulsion programs.
What this means for India’s defense ecosystem
This success signals growing self-reliance in critical aerospace subsystems and strengthens domestic supply chains. It also opens opportunities for export of complete expendable systems or engine modules to friendly countries, subject to policy and approvals. For GTRE and its industrial partners, the milestone validates their technical roadmap and will likely accelerate future collaborative efforts across propulsion, avionics and integrated systems.
