Indigenous Expandable Turbo Jet Engine
India has achieved another major achievement in the field of defense and aerospace technology. Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) of Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has successfully developed the first indigenous expandable turbo jet engine with 350 kg thrust capacity. This achievement is being considered an important step towards self-reliance in the defense sector of the country.
Azad Engineering prepared and handed over the engine to DRDO
The responsibility of manufacturing and assembly of this engine was given to Hyderabad-based Azad Engineering. The company prepared the engine and handed it over to GTRE of DRDO on 22 July 2026. The engine was presented by the company’s CEO Rakesh Chopdar to DRDO’s Director General (Aeronautical Systems) Dr. K. Rajalakshmi Menon and GTRE Director Dr. S.V. Formally handed over to Ramanamurthy.
The result of years of research and cutting-edge technology
The development of this engine is the result of many years of research, precision engineering, advanced manufacturing and strong collaboration between DRDO and Indian industry. Developing turbo jet engines is counted among the most complex technologies in the world and only a few selected countries have the right over it. In such a situation, India becoming self-reliant in this technology is considered a big achievement.
Self-reliant India will get a boost in defense sector
Experts believe that the development of indigenous turbo jet engines will further strengthen India’s defense capability. In future, it can be used in the development of various defense platforms and unmanned systems. This will reduce dependence on foreign technology and will give new impetus to domestic defense manufacturing.
Defense Secretary said it was a historic milestone
Defense Secretary and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh praised the partnership of GTRE and Indian industry on this achievement. He said that this success is a historic milestone in the direction of making India self-reliant in defense technology. According to him, with the cooperation of government institutions and private industry, the country will move rapidly towards the development of more advanced defense technologies in the future.
