The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), India’s premier defence research agency, is carrying out trials of the indigenously developed Kaveri jet engine in Russia and is planning to use it for powering the Made in India long-range Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV).
The Kaveri engine is undergoing detailed trials in Russia and there are around 25 hours of testing left to be done on it. The slots have to be given by the authorities, defence officials informed India Today TV.
The engine is planned to be used for powering the indigenous UCAV project, they said. Interest in the Kaveri engine has been revived as there is an ongoing trend in the Evian media, asking the government to #FundKaveri engine project.
The Kaveri engine was planned to be developed by the DRDO for the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), but due to delays in the programme, the combat aircraft had to be powered by the American GE-404 engines.
The GE-404 has been used to power the 32 LCA Mark 1s and the twin-seater-trainer versions. The 83 LCA Mark 1As are also set to be powered by the GE-404s, but the plan has been delayed due to issues in supplies by the American firm. Asked if the Kaveri engine could still be used for powering the LCA, the officials said there were plans to put the Kaveri on one of the LCA aircraft and showcase its capabilities.
The DRDO is also working towards working with a foreign firm for the development and manufacturing of a more powerful engine for the futuristic aircraft, including the Mark 2 versions of the fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). India has been in talks with multiple firms, including those from France, the UK and the US. The decision in this regard is expected to be taken soon.
