Bangalore: Limited test trials of the indigenous Kaveri engine powering Tejas, the light combat aircraft (LCA) and a Russian-built TU-16 aircraft will be conducted during 2005-2006, a top Defence Ministry official said on June 6.

The Bangalore-based Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), which is developing the aero engine to power the indigenous LCA, plans to conduct limited test trials during 2005-06, GTRE director S C Kaushal told reporters.

The high altitude tests presently conducted in Russia on Kaveri would continue for the next two months, Kaushal said, adding a second series of high altitude tests would be conducted after evaluation of the present tests.

He said GTRE expected full-scale production of the Kaveri engine, to be taken up by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) will begin by 2007. An estimated 250 to 300 engines would be built by HAL to power the LCA, which is expected to replace the ageing MiG-21 aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) from the next decade.

With five prototypes under development, Kaushal said, GTRE was planning to build five to 10 additional prototypes of Kaveri in the next two years.

The development cost of the Kaveri project has been estimated at Rs 1,385 crore, GTRE director said, adding that additional funds may be required for the project in the future.

Kaushal said a similar engine development in the West would cost about Rs 5,000 to Rs 6,000 crores with the same development time of 15 years.

PTI