DRDO successfully develops first indigenous Expendable Turbo Jet Engine (350 kg thrust class)
DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) and Azad Engineering deliver India’s first indigenous 350 kg-thrust class expendable turbojet engine
- GTRE is the DRDO unit credited with designing the indigenous expendable turbojet engine in the 350 kg thrust class.
- Azad Engineering is credited with manufacturing and assembling the engine and delivering it to GTRE on July 22, 2026.
- Dr K Rajalakshmi Menon and Dr SV Ramanamurty are named GTRE and Aeronautical Systems leadership recipients during the engine handover, with Azad Engineering CEO Rakesh Chopdar credited for the handover.
What happened
DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) has successfully developed India’s first indigenous expendable turbojet engine in the 350 kg thrust class. GTRE identified Azad Engineering, Hyderabad as the industry partner for manufacturing and assembly. On July 22, 2026, Azad Engineering successfully realised the engine and delivered it to GTRE.
Background and earlier position
The 350 kg-thrust class expendable turbojet engine milestone can be studied as an example of how India builds strategic aerospace capabilities through DRDO design and industry manufacturing, strengthening technological sovereignty in a specialised domain.
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