DG Propulsion: India's Pioneering Aerospace Startup in Turbojet Engines

Company Overview

Founded: 2019 Founders: Prateek Dhawan, Chirag Gupta Headquarters: Delhi Sector: Aerospace propulsion, gas turbine engines

DG Propulsion was established to address the lack of indigenous compact turbojet engines in India. Prateek Dhawan and Chirag Gupta, with their extensive backgrounds in aerospace engineering and defense, set out to create high-quality, domestically produced engines.

Products and Innovations

DG Propulsion's product lineup includes the DG J20, J40, and J60 turbojets, each rated at 20, 40, and 60 kilogram-force respectively. These engines are designed for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and defense applications.

Endurance Testing: The J40 completed a one-hour continuous run, a significant achievement for a micro turbojet. In late 2024, the company successfully tested a larger engine with 100 kilograms of thrust.

Engine Control System: DG Propulsion has developed an engine control system called DG AEMS, which enhances the efficiency and reliability of their engines.

Future Directions: The company is transitioning from turbojets to turbofans, which are more efficient for larger platforms. Plans are underway for a 10 kilonewton engine, a significant leap in their technological capabilities.

Recent Milestones

Maiden Flight of Divyastra Mk3: On 11 August 2026, Kawa UAV, trading as HoverIt, flew its Divyastra Mk3 loitering munition powered by a DG Propulsion turbojet. This marked the first time an Indian jet-powered loitering munition flew on an Indian engine, a significant achievement for both companies.

Aero India 2025: DG Propulsion showcased its engines at Aero India 2025 and signed an agreement with an unnamed government defense agency. This partnership underscores the company's growing influence in the defense sector.

Funding and Support

While specific funding details remain undisclosed, DG Propulsion has received institutional support from the Ministry of Defence and the iDEX program, which focuses on promoting innovation in defense technology.

Future Plans

DG Propulsion aims to increase the Indian content of its engines to over 90%, supported by government grants. The company is also exploring applications beyond drones, including jetpacks, jet speeders, and air taxis.

FAQs

**Q: What are DG Propulsion's main products? A: DG Propulsion's main products are the DG J20, J40, and J60 turbojets designed for unmanned aerial vehicles and defense applications.

**Q: What recent milestone did DG Propulsion achieve in 2026? A: In August 2026, DG Propulsion powered the maiden flight of Kawa UAV's Divyastra Mk3 loitering munition, marking the first Indian jet-powered loitering munition to fly on an Indian engine.

**Q: What support has DG Propulsion received? A: DG Propulsion has received support from the Ministry of Defence and the iDEX program, along with institutional grants to promote indigenization.

Conclusion

DG Propulsion stands at the forefront of India's aerospace innovation, developing cutting-edge turbojet engines and making significant strides towards greater self-reliance in defense technology. With ambitious plans for future growth and a commitment to enhancing domestic manufacturing, DG Propulsion is poised to play a pivotal role in India's defense and aerospace sectors.

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