Thread by @nileshjrane

1. A very interesting event - #GTRE has invited EOI from "reputed Indian Industries/Orgs" for component mfg, module-level assy, engine level integration and delivery to GTRE of 50kN class aero-engine - presumably the dry #Kaveri version for #Ghatak #UCAV.

2. Dry #Kaveri basically means #Kavari minus the A/B module. It's known to produce 52kN dry thrust based on various reports. It consists of 9-10 modules or sub-assemblies, ~2000 components and ~20000 parts count.

3. The main modules are:
- Fan (or LPC)
- HPC
- Intermediate compressor casing
- Bypass casing
- Combustor module
- HPT
- LPT
- Exhaust cone
- Jet pipe
- Auxillary gear box

It would be interesting to see whether it will have a

4. a conventional circular area nozzle (variable or fixed) or a rectangular exhaust for LO purpose. IMO it will be the later case.

The current plan is for 5 engines over next 3-4yrs, to be made with GTRE as Lead System Integrator (LSI), 15 more engine over next 3-4yrs with an

5. Indian Industry Partner (IIP) taking over LSI role. Sum total of only 20 engines over next 7-8 years. This has to be the Certification HW meant for flight test prototypes and for engine certification. A production run of 70-80 engines is envisaged thereafter over 10-12yrs.

6. The first 5 engines planned to be realized at a 3-month interval with subsequent engines made at 2-month intervals.

> This should also give us some idea about the planned fleet of UCAV #Ghatak and its timelines.

7. The identified IIP partner will work with GTRE over the initial batch of 5 engines to get Knowlege Transfer on engine build and integration and then take ownership of next 15 engine builds. The infrastructure will be provided by GTRE for the same.

8. This looks sort of like a GOCO model. For the production phase, however, the LSI is expected to create its own infrastructure for assy and integration.

IIPs to be identified as Tier-1 suppliers for module-level mfg & assy. They will have freedom to choose own Tier-2 suppliers

9. For the limited series production run of 5+15, GTRE will provide Raw material, Bought-out Items (BOI) and various standard LRUs. But for the production run, the LSI will have the responsibility to manage the entire supply chain.

10. The EOI is based on 'no cost no commitment' basis and the interested companies need to have min of 2yrs experience of aerospace-grade component/assy manufacturing. An RFQ may follow later.

11. This is a very important development. This will the first instance of an attempt to productionize any Indian Jet engine. A very important step. Not only that the engine will allow India to run a crucial #UCAV program without any external dependance (it was reported previously

12. that such decision was taken at the highest level for this program), it means we finally have a tangible benefit out of #Kaveri program. The importance of actually making a production variant engine and its operationalizing it cannot be overstated.

13. There are a lot of positives, possibilities and opportunities out of this. It does signify one thing that Kaveri works satisfactorily (or is close to at least) in its Dry version, as there is enough confidence now to push it for productionization for the crucial UCAV program.

14. From the way GTRE is offering infra for LSP run, it seems some lessons are learnt by MoD. This will definitely lower the entry barriers for interested SMEs. I don't expect any big player to even consider participating, nor any MNCs to show interest given such low volume.

15. HAL is obviously the most qualified IIP candidate. But when HAL itself was looking to give out module-level work to Tier-1 companies for its own engine programs, it makes sense for HAL to limit itself to the LSP level if at all it participates and try to cultivate Pvt SMEs

16. as Tier-1 companies. My only hope is from Bharat Forge among big private names for LSP.

But clearly, 100 odd engines spread out over almost 2 decades is not a good enough business case. We need a plan to club multiple programs and offer sizable business for all stakeholder

17. in the supply chain, so as to make the investment opportunity worthwhile. Even with liberal help from GOI side will hardly make many Pvt companies want to invest significant efforts in such a program. Only those who already have infra available would take it up as an odd job.

18. If we seriously want pvt company to invest in becoming an LSI for engines in India, we need to offer a bigger carrot. Maybe a JV with GE for manufacturing F404/F414 that we are planning to order as quid pro quo to investment in Kaveri program..? An assured pie out of HAL's

19. future engine programs...?? We need a larger vision, better visibility on future business opportunities. We have a requirement of 6000 heli engines, 1000 or more Fighter engines and 1000s of Airliners and UAV engines in next 2-3 decades. GOI needs to come up with ways to

20. leverage these big numbers somehow. So the Tier-1/2 companies can have a much wider spectrum of work available and perhaps an opportunity to be part of the global supply chain, which then will make any investment far more attractive.

21. Info tip curtesy BRF - always ahead of the curve. 😉
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