India’s Defense Breakthrough: No More Imported Fighter Jets!

India's push for self-reliance in defense manufacturing is expected to make its fighter jets more attractive to nations looking for cost-effective alternatives to Western and Russian aircraft.

Modi led government of India is positioning itself as a potential exporter of fighter jets, particularly the indigenous LCA Tejas. Several countries have expressed interest in acquiring Indian-made aircraft

The Argentine Air Force has shown interest in the Tejas as a replacement for its aging fleet. Reports suggest that Egypt too is considering various fighter jets, including India's Tejas, as part of its modernization efforts. Indonesia has explored options for acquiring Tejas to strengthen its air defense capabilities. Besides, the Philippines could also be a potential buyer given its growing defense cooperation with India. 

Kota Harinarayana, the former program director and chief designer of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, has expressed confidence that India will soon achieve self-reliance in fighter jet production and begin exporting them. 

Prototype of 4.5 Gen of Tejas MK 2

Harinarayana highlighted the progress made in developing a full ecosystem for indigenous aircraft manufacturing, noting that India has already built jets across various categories, including small, medium-sized, and unmanned aerial systems. He believes that in the coming years, India will not only meet its own Air Force's needs but also supply fighter jets to friendly nations.

Notably, the Kaveri Engine is also India's indigenous turbofan engine developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) under DRDO. While it was originally intended to power the LCA Tejas, it has faced challenges in meeting operational requirements, particularly in thrust output and efficiency.

Kaveri Engine

Unlike the Tejas fighter jet, which is now being considered for export, the Kaveri engine has not yet reached a stage where it can be widely deployed or exported. However, there are discussions about transferring its Technology of Transfer (ToT) to India's private sector to accelerate development and potentially create larger variants.

Recent advancements in the DRY Kaveri engine suggest that India is making progress in refining its performance, with testing scheduled for integration into Tejas prototypes. If successful, it could eventually become a viable alternative to foreign engines like the GE F404 and GE F414, reducing India's dependence on imports.

While the Kaveri engine is not yet an export-ready product, its development remains crucial for India's long-term aerospace ambitions. If India can overcome technical hurdles, it could eventually be positioned alongside Tejas as part of India's defense exports.

Meanwhile, the increased deployment of Tejas by the Indian Air Force has demonstrated the viability of India's defense manufacturing sector. Harinarayana also pointed to recent advancements, such as the successful trial of 'Bhargavastra,' an indigenous counter-drone system, as evidence of India's growing tactical capabilities.

This marks a significant milestone in India's journey toward defense self-sufficiency, reducing reliance on imports from countries like Russia and France. If this trajectory continues, India could emerge as a key player in the global fighter jet market.