New Delhi: Defense Minister Rajnath Singh urged on monday defense research and development organization Scientists at the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) will complete the indigenous aero-engine project within five years instead of taking decades as conventionally expected.The minister emphasized India’s strategic autonomy and the importance of quickly mastering key technologies, and said that taking into account the country’s current situation and strategic requirements, the 25-year goal must be compressed to five years.Rajnath Singh acknowledged that the deadline was a challenge; however, he said it shouldn’t be “a shock or a surprise.”“If it takes 25 years to develop an engine, then given the current situation in India, our strategic imperatives and our national ambitions, we have to assume that 20 of those years have passed and only five are left. This shouldn’t come as a shock or surprise. This is a challenge. We must achieve in these five years what usually takes other countries twenty years. We must do everything we can in this compressed time,” the defense minister said.Rajnath Singh further stated that India cannot continue to be limited to fifth-generation engines and must immediately begin research on sixth-generation and advanced technologies. He said the increasing global use of artificial intelligence, machine learning and advanced materials in defense systems requires India to stay ahead.Speaking at the Gas Turbine Research Institute in Bengaluru, Rajnath Singh said the institute, which operates under the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), has become “the foundation of India’s strategic capabilities” and praised its scientists for continuously conducting successful tests and strengthening India’s defense preparedness.The minister reiterated that in the rapidly evolving geopolitical realities, self-reliance in critical defense technologies is no longer an option.“When we came to power, we took steps towards self-reliance. In the defense sector, we also made some efforts to promote self-reliance. As defense minister, during my tenure of nearly seven years, I made every effort to prioritize the development of aerospace engines and we did that,” he said.“Looking at today’s global political situation, I don’t think it is necessary to explain the importance of self-reliance in such a critical technology. The geopolitical landscape of the world is changing rapidly. Supply chains are breaking and new ecosystems are developing. In this situation, only countries with their own technology can remain safe, secure and self-sustainable,” news agency ANI quoted him as saying.He further said, “We are going through such a historical phase where the eyes of the world are on India. All countries want to be a part of India’s growth story. All countries want to be partners in our ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative. In this scenario, we have many options, many opportunities. We have to make the most of these opportunities and further enhance our technological capabilities.”
The significance of aviation engines
Aviation engines in the defense field refer to the propulsion systems that power military aircraft such as fighter jets, transport aircraft, helicopters, and certain drones. In the case of a fighter aircraft, it is typically a high-performance turbofan engine that generates the thrust required for supersonic speeds, rapid climb, maneuverability, and sustained operation in demanding conditions. It also supports key functions such as afterburning performance, payload capability and combat range. Simply put, the engine determines the speed, distance and efficiency of military aircraft.Its significance lies in strategic autonomy. Aviation engines are one of the most complex and tightly controlled defense technologies in the world, mastered by only a few countries. If a country relies on foreign engine suppliers, it remains vulnerable to supply constraints, upgrade restrictions and export restrictions. For India, developing indigenous aero engines is crucial not only to power existing platforms like Tejas, but also for future projects like next-generation fighter jets. Mastering this technology can strengthen national security, reduce long-term dependence, and place the country among the global elite in technology.
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