India has achieved a significant milestone in indigenous aerospace and defence manufacturing with the successful development and realisation of the country’s first 350 kg-thrust class Expendable Turbo Jet Engine.
Designed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the engine was manufactured and assembled by Azad Engineering, Hyderabad, which was identified by GTRE as its industry partner for the programme.
The engine was successfully realised and delivered to GTRE on July 22, 2026, marking a major achievement in India’s efforts to strengthen domestic capabilities in advanced propulsion and aerospace manufacturing.
Turbo jet engine technology is considered one of the most sophisticated areas of engineering and is mastered by only a limited number of countries. The technology requires high levels of precision engineering, advanced metallurgy, sophisticated manufacturing processes and stringent quality standards.
The successful delivery of the engine, based on an indigenous DRDO design, demonstrates the growing capabilities of India’s private defence manufacturing sector and its ability to undertake the production and assembly of highly complex aerospace systems.
The achievement also highlights the increasing role of industry–research partnerships in translating indigenous technology from design and development into manufacturable systems.
The engine was developed by GTRE, while Azad Engineering was responsible for its manufacturing and assembly as the industry partner. The successful realisation of the engine represents the culmination of years of precision engineering, advanced manufacturing and collaboration between India’s scientific and industrial communities.
The engine was formally handed over by Azad Engineering CEO Rakesh Chopdar to Dr K Rajalakshmi Menon, Distinguished Scientist and Director General (Aeronautical Systems), and Dr SV Ramanamurty, Outstanding Scientist and Director, GTRE.
Commenting on the achievement, Defence Secretary, Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO Rajesh Kumar Singh complimented the GTRE–industry partnership, noting its contribution to transforming the vision of indigenous engine development into a historic milestone.
The successful development of the 350 kg-thrust expendable turbo jet engine marks another step towards strengthening India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat ambitions in aerospace and defence, while demonstrating the potential of Indian industry to support the development and manufacture of advanced propulsion technologies.
