DRDO Unveils 350 Kg Turbojet Engine to Power Next‑Generation Indian Cruise Missiles

DRDO announced in its August 2026 newsletter that the Azad Engineering division has successfully tested a new turbojet engine weighing 350 kilograms, a key milestone for indigenous missile propulsion and a step toward replacing imported powerplants.

Azad Turbojet is engineered to deliver the thrust needed for next‑generation Indian cruise missiles, with a compact form that allows internal carriage on missile airframes and supports extended range strike missions.

Self‑Reliant Defence officials say the 350 kg engine aligns with India's strategic aim to cut reliance on foreign propulsion technology, and they expect integration into operational missile systems within the next few years as production scales up.

Engine Collaboration notes that the turbojet follows the recent India‑Rolls‑Royce combat engine program that supplies allied fighters, highlighting a wider push for advanced, home‑grown propulsion across air‑and missile‑based platforms.