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India has successfully developed its first indigenous Expendable Turbojet Engine (ETJE) in the 350 kg thrust class, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to achieve self-reliance in advanced propulsion technologies for missiles and unmanned systems.
The engine, designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), was successfully manufactured, assembled and delivered by Hyderabad-based Azad Engineering on July 22, making it the first indigenous expendable turbojet engine of its class to be realised through an industry partnership.
The development is expected to strengthen India’s capability to power cruise missiles and long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with indigenous propulsion systems, reducing dependence on foreign technologies in a critical domain.
Jet engine technology is considered among the most complex engineering disciplines in the world, mastered by only a handful of countries. It requires advanced metallurgy, precision manufacturing and stringent quality standards. DRDO said the successful realisation of the ETJE demonstrates the growing technological maturity of India’s defence industrial base and its ability to manufacture highly sophisticated propulsion systems.
The engine was formally handed over by Azad Engineering CEO Rakesh Chopdar to Dr K Rajalakshmi Menon, Distinguished Scientist and Director General (Aeronautical Systems), DRDO, and Dr S.V. Ramanamurty, Outstanding Scientist and Director, GTRE.
Defence Secretary, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh congratulated GTRE and its industry partner, saying the collaboration had transformed a long-term vision into a historic achievement for India’s aerospace and defence ecosystem.
The successful development of the ETJE comes as India accelerates indigenous development of propulsion technologies across missiles, combat aircraft and unmanned platforms under the broader Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The engine is expected to support future indigenous cruise missile and UAV programmes requiring compact, reliable and cost-effective expendable propulsion systems.
Team BharatShakti
