Archive · 29 Sep 2026
India's Kaveri Engine Completes Russian Trials for Ghatak Stealth Drones
India has tested a new jet engine called the Kaveri Derivative Engine.
The tests took place in Russia at special facilities and during flights.
The engine produced 48.5 kilonewtons of thrust without using an afterburner.
That was higher than its planned target of about 46 kilonewtons.
Engineers tested it in conditions similar to flying high in the sky.
They also mounted it on a modified Ilyushin Il-76 aircraft for flight testing.
The engine is supposed to power India’s planned Ghatak stealth combat drone.
It still needs official certification and must be fitted into the drone before it can be used.
India’s Kaveri Derivative Engine recorded 48.5 kilonewtons of dry thrust, exceeding its approximately 46-kilonewton target.
The non-afterburning engine underwent high-altitude testing at Russia’s Central Institute of Aviation Motors.
Flight trials were conducted using a modified Ilyushin Il-76 testbed at the Gromov Flight Research Institute.
The engine is intended to power India’s planned Ghatak stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle.
Certification by CEMILAC and integration with the aircraft are still required before production or operational use.
- Who
- India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation and its Gas Turbine Research Establishment developed and tested the Kaveri Derivative Engine.
- What
- The engine completed high-altitude and flight trials, achieving a peak dry thrust of 48.5 kilonewtons.
- When
- The article reports that the trials have been completed; it does not specify a date.
- Where
- Testing took place at Russia’s Central Institute of Aviation Motors and Gromov Flight Research Institute.
- Why
- The engine is being developed to power India’s planned Ghatak stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle and support domestic jet-engine development.
- Engine
- Kaveri Derivative Engine, a non-afterburning version of the Kaveri
- Peak dry thrust
- 48.5 kilonewtons
- Target thrust
- Approximately 46 kilonewtons
- High-altitude testing
- Conducted at Russia’s Central Institute of Aviation Motors
- Flight testing
- Conducted with a modified Ilyushin Il-76 testbed
- Intended platform
- India’s planned Ghatak stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle
- Next step
- Certification review by the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification, followed by platform integration