Rajnath Singh Reviews Kaveri Engine Test, Urges India to Fast-Track 6th-Gen Aero Engines

Referring to Operation Sindoor, Shri Rajnath Singh said the operation demonstrated India’s growing self-reliance in defence production.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh today visited the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) in Bengaluru, reviewing the progress of India’s indigenous military gas turbine engine programmes and calling for an accelerated national push toward next-generation aero engine self-reliance.

During the visit, the Defence Minister was briefed on GTRE’s ongoing projects, its collaboration with Indian industry, academia and R&D institutions, and the establishment’s support to the Armed Forces. He also toured an exhibition showcasing indigenous engines and critical components, and witnessed the full afterburner engine test of the Kaveri engine, one of India’s flagship aero engine development efforts.

“Aero Engine Self-Reliance is a Strategic Imperative”

Interacting with scientists and officials, Shri Rajnath Singh praised GTRE’s contribution to strengthening national security through indigenous capability, describing DRDO as the “foundation of India’s strategic strength.”

Underscoring the importance of Aatmanirbharta in aero engine technology amid rapidly evolving geopolitical realities, he noted that nations possessing critical indigenous technologies will remain secure and resilient.

“Supply chains are breaking and new ecosystems are developing. Nations possessing indigenous critical technologies will remain safe, secure, and sustain themselves,” he said, reiterating the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s commitment to self-reliance in every strategic domain.

Push Beyond 5th Generation: “Start 6th-Gen Research Now”

Acknowledging India’s progress, the Defence Minister urged GTRE to focus aggressively on the development of next-generation engines, especially as India moves toward advanced combat aviation platforms such as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).

“We cannot limit ourselves to only 5th generation engines. We must begin the development of 6th generation, advanced technologies as soon as possible,” he said.

He stressed that emerging technologies such as:

• Artificial Intelligence

• Machine Learning

• New high-performance materials

• Advanced manufacturing

must be integrated early to ensure India stays ahead of the curve in propulsion innovation.

Compressing Timelines: “Assume 20 Years Have Already Passed”

Calling aero engine development one of the most complex engineering endeavours, Shri Rajnath Singh noted that it involves the integration of:

• thermodynamics

• material science

• fluid mechanics

• advanced mechanical engineering

He pointed out that even developed nations take 25–30 years to develop next-generation engines, but urged Indian scientists to compress timelines in view of strategic urgency.

“We must assume that 20 years have already passed and we now have only 5–7 years left,” he said, framing it as a national call to action.

Operation Sindoor Showcased Indigenous Defence Strength

Referring to Operation Sindoor, Shri Rajnath Singh said the operation demonstrated India’s growing self-reliance in defence production.

“Whether it was communication systems, surveillance equipment, or attack weapons, everything was indigenous,” he said, adding that this boosted soldier morale and national pride.

He stressed the need to provide the Armed Forces with world-class systems through greater focus on indigenous methods and technologies.

Global Partnerships Under National Aero Engine Mission

The Defence Minister also praised GTRE’s international collaboration efforts, noting a joint study with the United Kingdom and the initiation of engagement with France under the National Aero Engine Mission.

“Both France and UK are very advanced in aero engine technology. These collaborations will not only provide us the opportunity to learn new technologies, but also help us understand the challenges they have faced over the past decades,” he said.

Dual-Use Potential: Civil Aviation and Future Economic Gains

Highlighting the broader national benefits of propulsion technology, Shri Rajnath Singh pointed to GTRE’s work on high-temperature composites, which could significantly benefit:

• civil aviation

• power generation

• space and aerospace sectors

He noted that India is among the fastest-growing civil aviation markets globally, and breakthroughs achieved in defence aero engines could play a transformative role in future economic growth.

India’s Rising Global Standing

The Defence Minister also called for capitalising on India’s growing economic and geopolitical influence, citing the completion of the long-pending India–EU Free Trade Agreement, after 18 years of negotiations.

He also referred to his recent meeting with Greece’s Defence Minister, who he said views India not merely as an emerging power, but as a “superpower.”

Senior Leadership Present

Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat, along with senior scientists and GTRE officials, were present during the visit.

The Bengaluru review underscores India’s renewed propulsion push as the country seeks to build a robust national aero engine ecosystem — central to combat aircraft programmes, strategic autonomy and long-term defence preparedness.