K Rajalakshmi Menon, Director General of Aeronautical Systems at DRDO, gave an exclusive interview to THE WEEK in which she detailed India’s progress in indigenous fighter engine technology, highlighting the country’s mastery of 4th-generation fighter engines and its ongoing push toward 5th and 6th generation technologies.

She traced the trajectory of India’s fighter engine development from the 1980s, emphasising that the achievement of full 4th-generation engine technologies is a significant milestone that involved collaboration across DRDO, Indian industries, and academia.

Despite earlier criticisms regarding certain shortcomings in meeting all requirements for the TEJAS engine, she asserted that the technological leaps accomplished so far lay a strong foundation for future advancements.

She underscored the critical importance of consistent and sustained funding, cautioning that failure to provide adequate financial support now would be a serious mistake, as the technological ecosystem necessary for advanced fighter engine projects is mature and ready.

Menon noted that India is now in a position to partner internationally with equal-capability engine houses, with global entities recognising India’s rising technical maturity.

This international collaboration is seen as essential for bridging any remaining gaps and accelerating development toward 5th-generation fighter engines, and eventually indigenous 6th-generation fighter jet capability.

Menon spoke positively about the ongoing Kaveri engine program, dispelling rumours about its termination. She described Kaveri as a pioneering and heartfelt national project that continues to receive attention and effort from DRDO, industries, and academia, with the next step being its installation on an TEJAS platform for demonstration and certification trials.

Despite the extended timeline needed for full operational readiness, the Kaveri program remains a symbol of India’s self-reliance ambitions in jet engine technology.

The interview also reflected on how modern aerial warfare is evolving, with a growing emphasis on unmanned systems, yet not fully replacing manned aircraft which remain important due to their cutting-edge technology and operational flexibility.

She highlighted India’s technological capacity to meet current fighter engine demands while pushing forward for higher-generation capabilities with international cooperation and a robust domestic ecosystem.

Menon concluded by acknowledging the public’s engagement efforts such as the “Fund Kaveri” campaign, which foster a sense of unity and encouragement for indigenous defence technology development, providing positive morale to the scientists and innovators involved.

The interview conveyed a message of India’s steady and strategic progress toward advanced aeronautical systems, reinforced by a mature technological base, international partnerships, and the crucial role of continuous funding and public support in realising the vision of cutting-edge fighter engines and aerospace self-reliance.

Based On The Week Video Report