The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) has unveiled three indigenous micro and small gas turbine engines designed to support India’s defence and aerospace requirements.
The engines, presented in New Delhi on 25 August 2026, are the NJ-05, NJ-50 and NJ-100, offering thrust ratings of 5 kg, 50 kg and 100 kg respectively.
The compact propulsion systems are intended for lightweight airborne platforms and defence applications, including tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drone interceptors and compact missile systems. Micro and small gas turbine engines can provide the high rotational speeds and compact propulsion needed for such platforms while maintaining relatively low weight.
Dr N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of CSIR and Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, said the indigenous development of specialised and critical subsystems represents an important milestone for the country’s Atmanirbhar Bharat, or self-reliant India, objectives in aerospace engineering.
CSIR-NAL Director Dr Abhay A. Pashilkar highlighted the laboratory’s developing role as a multi-stage integrator within India’s expanding drone ecosystem. He also pointed to the potential for Indian industry and aerospace start-ups to manufacture the engines at scale, supporting growing requirements across the country’s defence sector.
Air Marshal Tejinder Singh, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, attended the unveiling as Chief Guest.
The three-engine family provides different thrust levels for platforms with varying propulsion requirements, expanding the range of indigenous power solutions available for India’s unmanned and missile technologies.