The KDE engine, a 49 kN thrust class turbofan, will undergo direct flight testing on the Ghatak UCAV instead of the previously considered Tejas platform, with final trials set to begin in Russia next month. This shift underscores the program’s progress towards certification, supported by new funding. Successful trials could lead to the integration of an afterburner and testing on the Tejas, potentially replacing the GE F404 engine currently in use. This development signifies a vital step towards enhancing India’s self-reliance in combat aviation propulsion and reducing dependency on foreign technologies, thereby strengthening national defense capabilities.