India's fighter drone will increase its power, DRDO started testing Kaveri engine in Russia

Preparations are underway to make India's fighter drone more powerful. India's top defense research agency Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), has ready the Kaveri engine. The engine will propel the drone. DRDO is testing the engine in Russia.

Defense officials said that Kaveri is being tested in Russia. About 25 hours of its testing is left. This slot is to be given to the Russian officials. This engine is planned to be used to power the indigenous UAV project. Defence officials said the plan is to install the Kaveri engine in the LCA aircraft and demonstrate its capability. The DRDO is working with a foreign firm to develop and manufacture more powerful engines for future aircraft, including the Mark 2 version of the fifth-generation fighter aircraft.

DRDO intended to develop the Kaveri engine for its indigenous light combat plane, but because of the delays in the program, the fighter jet has to rely on the US GE-404 engine. The 32 LCA Mark 1 and the twin-seater instructor variants have been fueled by the GE-404. The 83 LCA Mark 1A will also be fueled by the GE-404, but the plan was pushed back after the US company experienced supply issues.

India is talking to several companies in France, Britain, and the US for technology for defence equipment. Many decisions are expected to be taken in this regard in the near future. The Indian indigenous program for fighter aircraft aims to cut imports and provide indigenous platforms for the Air Force.