Is Kaveri Engine Unsuitable For LCA Tejas? DRDO Chief Explains Why

Last Updated:February 02, 2026, 18:02 IST

The Kaveri engine is a low-bypass, twin-spool turbofan designed by India’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) under DRDO.

DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat said while the engine has performed well, delivering a maximum thrust of 72 kilonewton (kN), the LCA requires 83–85 kN to operate optimally. (PTI photos)

The Kaveri engine, India’s indigenous fighter jet powerplant, has fallen short of the thrust required for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, DRDO Chairman Samir V Kamat said on Monday.

Speaking to ANI, he explained that while the engine has performed well, delivering a maximum thrust of 72 kilonewton (kN), the LCA requires 83–85 kN to operate optimally.

“Kaveri engine, in its original form, has not delivered the thrust that is required for the LCA," Kamat said. “The engine is working very well, it has given us a thrust of 72 kilonewton. But the LCA needs a thrust of 83-85 kilonewton."

However, he added that a derivative of the engine is being adapted for India’s unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs). “Without the after burner, the Kaveri engine will be used in our unmanned combat aircraft," he said.

Kamat also highlighted the long timeline of aero-engine development. “If you look at globally also, any engine development program takes between 10-13 years to reach maturity before it can be integrated with the platform. So, if the CCS gives a sanction this year, I would assume that by 2035-2036," he said.

He added that the first two squadrons of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) will initially use the GE F414 engine, with the indigenous engine to follow later.

The DRDO chief further outlined the organisation’s focus on future technologies. “Our focus is going to be on unmanned combat aerial vehicle… We are looking at quantum techonologies, at AIML (Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning) technologies, advanced materials and these technologies will go into any system that we develop," Kamat said.

The Kaveri engine is a low-bypass, twin-spool turbofan designed by India’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) under DRDO.

First conceived in the 1980s, it was intended to reduce India’s dependence on foreign engines for the Tejas fighter. The engine features a flat-rated design to minimise thrust loss at high speeds and temperatures, and includes a twin-lane Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system with manual override for reliability.

(With inputs from agencies)

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