India Develops First Indigenous Expendable Turbo Jet Engine of 350 kg Thrust Class

India's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a DRDO lab based in Bengaluru, has successfully developed the country's first indigenous Expendable Turbo Jet Engine in the 350 kg thrust class. Hyderabad-based Azad Engineering, selected as the industry partner for manufacturing and assembly, realised and delivered the engine to GTRE on July 22, 2026, marking a landmark achievement for India's aerospace and defence sector after nearly 24 months of development.

Key Highlights of the Expendable Turbo Jet Engine of 350 kg thrust class

1. Developer & Designer: GTRE, Bengaluru (DRDO lab)
2. Manufacturing Partner: Azad Engineering, Hyderabad
3. Thrust Category: 350 kg thrust class
4. Delivery Date: July 22, 2026
5. Development Timeline: ~24 months

Technical & Strategic Significance of India’s 1st indigenous Expendable Turbo Jet Engine

1. Complex discipline mastered by few: Jet engine technology demands extreme precision manufacturing, advanced metallurgy, and superalloys for high thermal stress and reliability under extreme conditions, capabilities held by only a handful of nations.
2. Boost to Atmanirbhar Bharat: The delivery validates the PPP model in defence, where DRDO retains design authority while private industry leads production-grade realisation.
3. Applications: These engines offer a high thrust-to-weight ratio for tactical, single-use platforms such as UAVs, naval anti-ship and cruise missiles, medium-range anti-drone systems, and air-to-air/air-to-surface weapons.

Key Dignitaries Involved in Handover of First Indigenous Expendable Turbo Jet Engine

Azad Engineering CEO Rakesh Chopdar handed over the engine to Dr. K. Rajalakshmi Menon, Distinguished Scientist & Director General (Aeronautical Systems), and Dr. S.V. Ramanamurty, Outstanding Scientist & Director, GTRE. Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh commended the GTRE-industry partnership for turning the design vision into operational hardware.