India’s push for defence self-reliance has entered a critical new phase with the launch of an ambitious indigenous turbojet engine development programme by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The initiative, spearheaded by the Hyderabad-based Research Centre Imarat (RCI), aims to develop compact, flight-ready turbojet engines capable of generating 1 to 2 kilonewtons (kN) of thrust for next-generation unmanned combat systems and tactical missiles.
The programme marks a strategic attempt by India to reduce dependence on imported propulsion technologies, particularly in areas where foreign suppliers often impose restrictions on transfers of advanced military systems. By nurturing domestic capability in miniature air-breathing engines, the DRDO hopes to secure a reliable indigenous supply chain for future precision-strike weapons and autonomous combat platforms.
Issued under the reference code RCI/TURBOJET/EOI/001, the Expression of Interest (EOI) invites Indian aerospace and defence firms to participate in the design, development, testing, manufacturing, and delivery of the compact turbojet systems. The selected industry partners will be responsible for the entire lifecycle of the propulsion package, signalling a deeper shift toward public-private collaboration in India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem.
The initiative is being managed through the Ministry of Defence’s eProcurement platform, reflecting the urgency and strategic importance attached to the programme. According to the official timeline, the tender process commenced on May 19, 2026, while a pre-bid meeting is scheduled for May 29 at the RCI facility in Hyderabad. The meeting is expected to clarify technical requirements, operational standards, and qualification criteria for participating firms.
Interested companies must submit their bids by June 11, 2026, after which technical evaluations will begin immediately. With bids remaining valid for 180 days, the DRDO appears determined to move rapidly in selecting industrial partners capable of delivering operationally viable propulsion systems within a compressed timeframe.
The significance of the 1–2 kN turbojet category lies in its suitability for compact, high-speed aerial weapons. While India has already made progress in larger propulsion systems such as the indigenous Manik small turbofan engine used in cruise missile programmes, the new effort focuses on smaller and more affordable engines intended for lightweight tactical platforms.
These compact engines are expected to become the backbone of a new class of Indian loitering munitions, miniature cruise missiles, stand-off precision weapons, and aerial decoys. Such systems are increasingly becoming central to modern warfare, where speed, precision, survivability, and affordability are all critical factors.
According to open-source technical details, the engines must be extremely compact and rugged. The target specifications reportedly require the propulsion unit to weigh less than 25 kilograms while maintaining a diameter below 275 millimetres. Despite their small size, the engines must withstand harsh operational conditions, including rapid aerial manoeuvres producing forces of up to ±10G.
The engines are also expected to sustain high-subsonic flight speeds approaching Mach 0.9, allowing lightweight weapons to travel long distances quickly without requiring large airframes. Such performance characteristics are particularly important for tactical strike systems designed to evade enemy radar and penetrate air defence networks.
Another major challenge for the programme will be environmental reliability. India’s military platforms operate across some of the world’s harshest terrains, from freezing Himalayan regions near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to the extreme heat of desert sectors along the western frontier. The engines must therefore perform consistently under wide temperature variations, changing air densities, and demanding altitude conditions.
Unlike traditional propulsion contracts that focus solely on engine hardware, the DRDO’s current initiative calls for a fully integrated propulsion solution. Participating firms must provide not only the turbojet core but also associated subsystems such as the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC), fuel delivery mechanisms, alternators, and electrical power systems necessary for combat deployment.
FADEC technology is particularly significant because it allows digital monitoring and autonomous control of engine performance, improving reliability, fuel efficiency, and mission adaptability. Advanced digital engine management is increasingly considered essential for modern autonomous combat systems, especially unmanned aerial platforms operating in contested environments.
The selected vendors will additionally be responsible for comprehensive testing and validation procedures. This includes ground testing under simulated operational conditions involving high-altitude performance, rapid acceleration, thermal stress, and endurance trials. The objective is to ensure that the propulsion systems remain reliable even during complex combat manoeuvres and prolonged missions.
One of the most important operational applications of these engines will likely be advanced loitering munitions, also known as kamikaze drones. Unlike conventional battery-powered drones that often suffer from limited speed and endurance, turbojet-powered loitering munitions can travel significantly faster and strike targets with far less warning time.
Such systems are becoming increasingly important in contemporary warfare, as demonstrated in conflicts across Eastern Europe and West Asia, where autonomous precision-strike drones have transformed battlefield tactics. Turbojet propulsion would allow Indian loitering munitions to perform rapid terminal attacks against mobile or time-sensitive targets while reducing vulnerability to short-range air defence systems.
The engines are also expected to support future Air-Launched Cruise Missiles (ALCMs) and extended-range stand-off weapons. These systems are designed to be carried by combat aircraft and launched from safe distances outside hostile air defence zones.
Integration with frontline Indian Air Force platforms such as the Tejas Mk1A, Tejas MkII, Rafale, and Su-30MKI would significantly enhance India’s precision-strike capability. Armed with compact cruise missiles powered by indigenous turbojets, Indian fighter aircraft could engage strategic targets from distances ranging between 150 and 250 kilometres while remaining outside enemy anti-aircraft engagement envelopes.
This capability would provide substantial operational flexibility during high-intensity conflicts, enabling deep-strike missions against command centres, radar sites, logistics hubs, and heavily fortified infrastructure without exposing pilots and aircraft to elevated risks.
Beyond offensive systems, the engines are also likely to support aerial target and decoy programmes. High-speed expendable drones play a crucial role in training surface-to-air missile operators by simulating realistic enemy missile threats. Platforms such as the DRDO’s Abhyas high-speed target drone already rely on propulsion systems within this thrust category.
As India continues modernising its layered air defence network, including systems such as Akash, MR-SAM, and indigenous anti-drone technologies, the need for realistic training targets has become increasingly important. Indigenous turbojet production would ensure uninterrupted availability of these systems for training and testing purposes.
Strategically, the programme reflects India’s broader defence industrial transformation under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative. Over the past decade, India has aggressively pursued domestic manufacturing across missiles, drones, electronic warfare systems, radar networks, artillery, and combat aircraft.
However, propulsion technology has long remained one of the most difficult sectors to indigenise due to its complexity and the strict export controls maintained by technologically advanced countries. Compact military-grade turbojet engines involve sophisticated metallurgy, precision machining, thermal management, aerodynamic optimisation, and digital control integration.
By inviting private Indian industry into the development process, the DRDO appears to be adopting a more decentralised innovation model similar to those seen in advanced defence-industrial ecosystems worldwide. This could accelerate technological maturity while also creating a broader manufacturing base for future aerospace programmes.
