India's quest for self-reliance in defense technology is gaining momentum, and the Kaveri Engine is at the center of this transformation. A homegrown jet engine project that began over three decades ago has once again captured national attention—not just within defense corridors but across social media platforms, where the public is now urging the government to "Fund Kaveri Engine" as a national priority.

What Is the Kaveri Engine?

The Kaveri Engine is an indigenous jet engine project developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) under DRDO, designed to power India's Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. The project began in the 1980s and aimed to reduce India’s dependency on foreign propulsion systems like GE’s F404 and F414.

However, due to various technical challenges—including lower-than-required thrust output and weight constraints—the project was decoupled from the Tejas program in 2008.

Revival and Recent Developments

Despite setbacks, the Kaveri project is far from over. Recent years have seen:

• Focus on the dry variant (without afterburner) for UAVs and twin-engine applications.

• December 2024: Government approved flight testing of the dry Kaveri variant in Russia aboard the Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft.

• Development of Kaveri 2.0: A more advanced version aiming for >90 kN thrust with afterburner to power future aircraft like Tejas Mk2 and AMCA.

• Private sector involvement: Godrej Aerospace and other Indian firms have joined the program to manufacture parts.

Public Demand: Fund the Kaveri Engine

In 2025, the term #FundKaveriEngine began trending on Twitter/X, Reddit, and LinkedIn, with thousands of posts urging the Indian government to:

• Boost indigenous defense capabilities.

• Avoid dependence on foreign-made jet engines (like GE, Safran).

• Showcase India’s prowess in advanced technology.

This online campaign reflects growing public support for Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) and marks a rare moment when a defense R&D project garners mass civic engagement.

Global Collaborations

International support, particularly from Russia, has been vital. The dry Kaveri variant will undergo flight tests in Russian facilities like:

• Central Institute of Aviation Motors (CIAM)

• Gromov Flight Research Institute (GFRI)

Additionally, France’s Safran has also previously shown interest in collaborating on advanced engine tech, possibly aiding Kaveri 2.0.

Why the Kaveri Engine Matters?

• Strategic Independence: Reduces India's dependence on imported propulsion tech.

• Technological Prowess: Places India among the few nations developing advanced jet engines.

• Economic Boost: Saves billions in engine imports and stimulates local defense manufacturing.

• Future-Proofing: Crucial for powering India's upcoming 5th-gen fighter AMCA and UAVs.

The Kaveri engine is more than a propulsion unit; it represents India’s technological resilience, public spirit, and strategic foresight. As the government weighs its next move, one thing is clear: the people of India want Kaveri to fly.

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