Kaveri Engine Is Making Headlines — Here's Why It’s Crucial for India's Defence

A large number of citizens, defence analysts, and aviation enthusiasts took to social media on Monday, May 26, calling for accelerated progress on the Kaveri jet engine project. The hashtag #FundKaveriEngine quickly became the top trend on X, with users urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allocate more funding and prioritize the long-delayed indigenous engine.

What is the Kaveri Engine and Why Was It Meant for Tejas?

The Kaveri engine is an indigenous jet propulsion system being developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a lab under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is a low bypass, twin-spool turbofan engine designed to generate 80 kilonewtons (kN) of thrust. The engine was originally intended to power India’s homegrown fighter jet, the HAL Tejas, and reduce reliance on foreign propulsion systems.