Indian Air Force News and Discussions ll

Toxic said:
These retards still think they have a intact PL-15

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You should not believe !
 
CallSignMaverick said:
Bit disappointed with the timeline of ~8 years for induction but then it is supposed to be a loyal wingman/collaborative combat aircraft under man-unmanned teaming not a standalone system.
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CallSignMaverick said:
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Good—an aircraft’s engine is more critical than airframe itself. India needs a fully indigenous fighter jet, free from Western sanctions. currently defense exports of India is around $4.1 billion, this could surpass $50 billion—if India successfully develops its own jet engine. Only a handful of countries possess the resources and expertise required for such advanced engine development, and India is among them.
 
CallSignMaverick said:
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So that means it now has to be tested further on the airframe at varying parameters, approved , stamped back and forth - then tenders to actually set up a limited line - stamped back and forth.
Then procurement of equipment for the line and setup - stamped back and forth

Then testing of the line - stamped back and forth..,

In paralell the ecosystem to supply the production line has to be set up - stamped and stamped three times over.,
 

India’s Kaveri Engine Enters "Super Kaveri" Era (2026)​

India’s indigenous propulsion ambitions have reached a decisive turning point in 2026. After decades of development hurdles, the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) has successfully pivoted the Kaveri program toward a lightweight, high-performance configuration known as the Kaveri Derivative Engine (KDE) or "Super Kaveri."

Key Technical Breakthroughs​

  • Weight Optimization: The engine has been slimmed down from 1,235 kg to roughly 1,100 kg, with a roadmap to break the sub-1,000 kg barrier. This is being achieved through additive manufacturing (3D-printed superalloys) and Polymer Matrix Composites (PMC).
  • Performance Surge: Recent tests witnessed by the Defence Minister confirmed full afterburner capability, with wet thrust reaching 81–83 kN and dry thrust hitting 49–52 kN.
  • Advanced Engineering: The integration of 9-stage BLISK compressors and boltless turbine blade arrangements has eliminated stress risers, allowing for higher rotational speeds and improved reliability.
  • Material Science: The use of CMSX-4 single-crystal blades enables turbine entry temperatures of 1500°C, significantly boosting thrust-to-weight ratios.

Strategic Impact​

Beyond the Tejas Mk1A ecosystem, the KDE is a critical enabler for the Ghatak UCAV, where the reduced engine mass directly translates to increased endurance and range. With Godrej Aerospace now delivering production-standard D2/D3 variants and digital twin modeling slashing development cycles by 80%, India is finally transitioning from laboratory prototypes to a viable industrial propulsion ecosystem.

Read the full article here: How GTRE Reviving Kaveri Engine for LCA Tejas Mk1A by Reducing Weight and Introducing New Technologies - Analysis
 

Summary: India Shifts Kaveri Engine to Full Industrial Production (2026)​

India’s indigenous propulsion program has reached a historic milestone as the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) transitioned the Kaveri Derivative Engine (KDE) from a laboratory project to a full-scale industrial production line. In a major strategic shift, Godrej Aerospace has been tasked with end-to-end assembly of the Kaveri D3 unit, marking the first time a private Indian firm will act as the primary integrator for a jet engine.

Key Strategic Drivers​

  • Ghatak UCAV Alignment: The scale-up follows the Defence Procurement Board’s recommendation to acquire 60 Ghatak stealth UCAVs. The KDE (optimized for ~49–51 kN dry thrust) will serve as the primary powerplant for this fleet.
  • Production Readiness: Moving beyond "modular kits," Godrej will now handle high-precision integration. D-1 and D-2 units are already undergoing 150-hour endurance trials to validate operational reliability.
  • Digital Twin Tech: GTRE is utilizing high-fidelity virtual replicas to simulate stress and thermal signatures, reportedly slashing development and testing cycles by 30%.

The Bottom Line​

This transition signifies the end of the Kaveri's era as a mere "technology demonstrator." By tethering engine production to a firm requirement for 60 stealth drones, India is establishing a sovereign aerospace ecosystem capable of serial manufacturing. Success here creates the industrial blueprint for future high-thrust engines for the AMCA and Tejas programs.

Read the full article here: GTRE Asks Godrej for Full Kaveri D3 Engine Production: First Historic Indigenous Jet Engine Manufacturing of Indian Aerospace To Begin Soon
 

MIDHANI Superalloys Unlock 95kN Kaveri 2.0 Potential​

The bottleneck of indigenous metallurgy is finally breaking. Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (MIDHANI) has commenced the delivery of CEMILAC-certified high-performance superalloy cast sticks, a critical leap for India’s aero-engine sovereignty in 2026.

The Material Breakthrough​

MIDHANI is now supplying Superni 263A (nickel-based) and Titan 31A (titanium) alloys for Class I and II rotating components. These materials offer the extreme creep resistance and oxidation stability required for high-pressure turbine blades and compressor discs, where temperatures often exceed the melting points of standard metals.

Dual-Track Engine Impact​

  • Dry Kaveri (KDE): These alloys stabilize the 48.5–52kN thrust required for the Ghatak stealth UCAV, ensuring thermal efficiency and low infrared signatures for long-endurance missions.
  • Kaveri 2.0 (K10): The materials are the foundation for the ambitious 90–95kN afterburning variant. By enabling turbine entry temperatures (TET) to reach higher thresholds, MIDHANI’s metallurgy makes the Kaveri 2.0 a viable contender for the Tejas Mk2 and AMCA.

Strategic Bottom Line​

With 75% indigenization already achieved in these advanced alloys, India is transitioning from laboratory success to a certified industrial supply chain. This move effectively ends the era of total dependence on foreign material suppliers for critical hot-section engine components.

Read the full article here: MIDHANI Delivers High-Performance Superalloy Cast Sticks for Aero-Engines: How it Boosts Kaveri Engine Program – Analysis
 

Summary: GTRE Proposes to Convert Su-30MKI into Flying Testbed for Kaveri 2.0​

The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) has proposed a strategic shift in India’s engine certification process by converting Su-30MKI fighters into Flying Testbeds (FTB). This moves the program away from legacy platforms like the Il-76, offering a faster and safer path to indigenous propulsion.

Technical & Safety Advantages​

  • Twin-Engine Redundancy: The Su-30MKI provides a critical safety net. In the event of an experimental engine failure (such as the Kaveri 2.0), the second AL-31FP engine ensures the recovery of the pilot and the high-value test hardware.
  • A Flying Laboratory: The Flanker's large airframe allows for extensive real-time instrumentation and data acquisition, enabling FMECA (Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis) during actual flight maneuvers.

The "Staircase" Certification Model​

GTRE is adopting an incremental "staircase" methodology, clearing components for limited flight hours before gradually expanding the flight envelope. This agile approach is expected to significantly reduce development bottlenecks for several key programs:

  • Kaveri 2.0 (~90 kN): High-altitude and thermal validation.
  • AHTCE (110–120 kN): Stress and endurance testing for AMCA-class powerplants.
  • Dry Kaveri (46–52 kN): Propulsion trials for stealth UCAVs.

Bottom Line​

Repurposing older Su-30MKI airframes into FTBs transforms them into a shared national infrastructure. This move optimizes the engine development cycle, bringing India closer to self-reliance in high-thrust jet engine technology.

Read the full article here: GTRE’s Bold Move: Converting Su-30MKI into Flying Testbeds to Fast-Track Kaveri 2.0
 
According to French press reports, the country's government has rejected India's request for access to the source code of the electronic systems of the Rafale fighter jets. This decision limits India's ability to independently modernize the aircraft and integrate weapons and electronic systems of its own origin. France is not allowing access to the aircraft's radar, data processing unit and electronic warfare system, that is, to three critical systems. The French side considers these technologies extremely sensitive and are under strict protection.

This decision has raised uncertainty about the implementation of India's program to purchase 114 additional Rafales, a program that New Delhi approved in mid-February, at a budgeted cost of €30.2 billion. According to what was approved, 18 aircraft will be manufactured in France, while the rest in India. At the beginning of the program, the Indian added value will be around 30%, while it will gradually increase to 60%. The production of the aircraft will involve the state-owned HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited), as well as private Indian defense industries.

We remind you that India already has 36 aircraft in its arsenal, while it has ordered 26 aircraft for the Navy. For India, control of the source code is crucial for the integration of its own weapons and for the modernization of the aircraft in the future. On the other hand, France does not agree to the permission to access the source code, which is the set of software instructions that determine how the electronic systems operate. France's refusal means that India will continue to depend on Paris' approval for any changes it wants to make to the aircraft, while possible political changes could lead to restrictions on access to the necessary software updates.
 
No one expected it to, we need just enough access to integrate our systems with it as per our requirements(just like MKIs) and in future can make upgrades to it without the need to purchase expensive weapons and upgrade packages from OEMs. In return they would probably restrict the sale of our integrated systems to other Rafale operators.
 
Foinikas said:
According to French press reports, the country's government has rejected India's request for access to the source code of the electronic systems of the Rafale fighter jets. This decision limits India's ability to independently modernize the aircraft and integrate weapons and electronic systems of its own origin. France is not allowing access to the aircraft's radar, data processing unit and electronic warfare system, that is, to three critical systems. The French side considers these technologies extremely sensitive and are under strict protection.

This decision has raised uncertainty about the implementation of India's program to purchase 114 additional Rafales, a program that New Delhi approved in mid-February, at a budgeted cost of €30.2 billion. According to what was approved, 18 aircraft will be manufactured in France, while the rest in India. At the beginning of the program, the Indian added value will be around 30%, while it will gradually increase to 60%. The production of the aircraft will involve the state-owned HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited), as well as private Indian defense industries.

We remind you that India already has 36 aircraft in its arsenal, while it has ordered 26 aircraft for the Navy. For India, control of the source code is crucial for the integration of its own weapons and for the modernization of the aircraft in the future. On the other hand, France does not agree to the permission to access the source code, which is the set of software instructions that determine how the electronic systems operate. France's refusal means that India will continue to depend on Paris' approval for any changes it wants to make to the aircraft, while possible political changes could lead to restrictions on access to the necessary software updates.
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