The Kaveri turbofan engine development program, led by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is making significant strides, with successful integration into the TEJAS airframe underway and promising flight data accumulation. This progress follows a grassroots #FundKaveriEngine campaign, lauded by DRDO’s K. Rajalakshmi Menon, which has galvanized national support for the project, emphasizing its importance for India’s self-reliance in aerospace technology. Recent improvements in engine performance and reliability, alongside plans for flight testing by 2027, highlight India’s commitment to developing a modern, indigenous propulsion system, potentially reducing dependence on foreign technologies.