DRDO launches Rs 100 cr project to fund R&D in jet engines

BANGALORE: The Defence Research and Development Organisation has launched a Rs 100 crore initiative to fund R&D projects in the area of gas turbines, a senior DRDO official said here on Wednesday.

Under this initiative of DRDO's Aeronautics Research and Development Board, R&D projects which need investment of Rs 50 lakh to Rs 5 crore would be considered for funding, Director of Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), T Mohana Rao, told reporters here.

Bangalore-headquartered GTRE, a DRDO lab, is the nodal agency to spearhead this venture, named GATET and Rao would be the administrative head. "Rs 78 crore has already been sanctioned. We have already shortlisted some projects. We hope to fund 40 to 45 projects", he said.

The initiative is expected to fuel "coherent directed research" in the area of gas turbines, DRDO officials said.

Under the venture, a top-down approach, DRDO, taking into account futuristic national programmes, would support, encourage, nurture, monitor and exploit the design, research, development and manufacturing capability of academic institutions and R&D establishments, industries and other think tanks to carry out frontline work in bringing out next generation gas turbine engine system.

The programme envisages participation of 100 R&D centres and 1,000 scientists, engineers and technicians.