GTRE’s Kaveri Engine: Will it Succeed?

In view of India’s problems in developing its own Kaveri GTRE35vs engine for LCA and AMCA, FORCE take a look at the status of the engine.

Rohan Ramesh

It was earlier reported that the DRDO is closing down the Kaveri engine development programme. While there is no confirmation of the report which circulated during AeroIndia show, it goes to show the DRDO’s flip-flop on the engine development.

The success of the AMCA programme is critically dependent on the development of Kaveri GTRE35vs, as the power plant is the heart of any flying platform, leave alone a modern fighter.

In that light, we try to take a look at the plight of Kaveri considering the the importance of having a locally developed engine in indigenous fighters.

If the Kaveri programme has given up its ghost, it will be the second time that project has been shut down. In 2014, it was given a burial, only to be revived later. If the LCA has to be a success, the development of Kaveri is critical.

The import of GE 414 is no answer to LCA’s engine requirement, unless it involves full technology transfer, which is unrealistic. The LCA, given its design needs a very powerful engine. Imports are costly and dependence on suppliers is unadvisable.

And there is the question of the AMCA. The AMCA requires a twin-engine set-up and GTRE Kaveri could potentially power the 5th generation offering from ADA and DRDO.




According to a Business Standard report, “In November 2016, DRDO Director General for Aeronautics Cluster C.P. Ramanarayanan confirmed that DRDO and French Snecma had tied up to revive Kaveri Engine as part of the offsets deal for 36 Rafale jet. It is expected that the engine would be integrated and tested in LCA Tejas by 2018.” Yet no concrete action has been seen in this regard.

DRDO has also tried to spin off the Kaveri afterburning engine into the Kaveri Marine Gas Turbine (KMGT), a recently developed derivative of the GTX-35VS Kaveri engine for ships. It is also activily working on ‘Ghatak’, a Kaveri derivative to be developed to power India’s Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle DRDO AURA.

But according to Wing Cmdr G.B Athri (retd), “The DRDO is a white elephant. When the Kaveri project was initiated along with the LCA programme in 1984, we had great hopes on the project. It has been four decades since then and yet we do not have a viable working product.”

“I really hope the Kaveri engine turns out to be a success because a lot a of sweat and blood has gone into the project,” he says. “But the basic problem lies in DRDO’s inability to deliver. Look at Poland, despite being a war-ravaged country in 1964, it developed the ‘PZL TS-11 Iskra’ trainer which India bought and used for over 3 decades. We were not affected by war?” he asks. “How come Poland managed to make a jet trainer while we still have not?”

“DRDO needs to develop a proper work ethic amongst its staff, shoulder responsibility and provide accountability,” says the retired Wing Cmdr. “They should be held responsible for wasting public funds.”

Wing Cmdr G.B. Athri signed off by saying “The DRDO and HAL need to stop basking in the achievements of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. It is about time they take a cue from ISRO and start delivering instead of just talking!”

 

14 thoughts on “GTRE’s Kaveri Engine: Will it Succeed?

  • March 20, 2019 at 7:03 am
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    The article is incomplete as it doesn’t add any new fact about the status. Same old story..

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    • March 23, 2019 at 3:17 pm
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      This project should be now handed to the private sector as a consortium of L&T, TATA and another indian vendor with a pending problem statement. Running this project without timelines and limitless funds will not bear any fruit. I am not sure if private sector is ready to pitch in this area but government should definitely look into this possibility.

      Reply
  • March 20, 2019 at 10:02 am
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    Kaveri simply cannot be abandoned! Select Safran/GE/Rolls Royce who are will to collaborate, as per information in public domain, and take the project to it’s logical successful conclusion! It will save money besides making us “independent” in a very vital area. Hope there renewed enthusiasm to see this through.

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  • March 20, 2019 at 3:25 pm
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    Isn’t it shameful for a fastest growing country.
    Lack of Research & development, poor education system.

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  • March 20, 2019 at 3:52 pm
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    Kaveri development is must for non alignment status of India in the world. Hire/ consult global experts break the bond of dependendence. Where are over scientists?

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  • March 21, 2019 at 3:10 am
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    Yes for sure the Kaveri engine program will be a successful project. Jai hind

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  • March 21, 2019 at 3:17 am
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    DRDO already developed its 2 version and ready to induct in LCA and aura. They have details on their website.

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  • March 21, 2019 at 3:50 am
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    DRDO story I can understand because since my birth till retirement I stayed in Central Govt. accommodation and seen many DRDO staff.They were the people who never had any tension of work or responsibility.They enjoyed sarkari privilege better than other central Govt employees and more concerned about their promotion than other thing.After Reservation System came into force DRDO is now a white elephant eating taxpayers money.

    Reply
  • March 21, 2019 at 4:55 am
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    The problem is the person who has 40 percent and barely managed to pass all exams get job of scientists because of freaking reservation. Here is the cost of that. The real talent either goes to private firm or other countries and they are developing. You need to get rid of this reservation from engineering and Medical fields if you want to see the real progress.

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  • March 21, 2019 at 5:32 am
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    Kavery is not fail. Koi na koi jarur ayege who gives the life to Kaveri and it will become the one of the best. Keep Patience. It will be happen soon.

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  • March 21, 2019 at 6:07 am
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    Kaveri engine program has to be successful it is a prestige issue for the country. We have hope only Modi ji who can make it successful so we must make Modi ji successful this time.

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  • March 21, 2019 at 8:32 am
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    Wg Cdr Athri Retd., Don’t understand connection of HAL basking in APJ Abdul Kalam’s glory?!!! Whatever you mean!

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  • June 23, 2019 at 3:47 pm
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    we have to hand over this kind of game changer projects to private firms as working ethics in the government backed Public sector is very poor. jai hind

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  • September 17, 2019 at 5:24 am
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    This writeup is not fulfilling the question about the status of Kaveri Engine. I think that Kaveri Engines are being used in Tejas, hence can we consider that Kaveri is a successful project?????

    Reply

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