Green Aero's Ambitious Quest: Building India's First Hydrogen-Powered Jet Engines
Key Ideas
- Green Aero, a Delhi NCR-based startup, aims to revolutionize the aerospace industry by developing India's first hydrogen-powered jet engines and propulsion systems.
- Despite challenges like lack of technological expertise and high capital investment, Green Aero has successfully demonstrated its first hydrogen-powered jet engine named The Blue Dragon in May 2025.
- The startup, backed by pi Ventures and Antler, targets key markets like civil aviation, shipping, and defence, with a focus on drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as initial commercial opportunities.
- The potential of liquid hydrogen as a cleaner and more efficient alternative to traditional aviation fuel has garnered interest from industry giants like Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney, aligning with Green Aero's innovative approach.
Delhi NCR-based Green Aero is on a mission to develop India's first hydrogen-powered jet engines, propelled by founder Prithwish Kundu's vision to revolutionize the aerospace industry. Established in 2023 and supported by pi Ventures and Antler, the startup is currently focusing on building smaller traditional fuel engines for drones to tap into the defense sector. While the large players like Rolls-Royce and Pratt & Whitney are also experimenting with hydrogen fuel engines, the transition to liquid hydrogen as a green alternative to fossil fuels remains a distant prospect. Green Aero's journey includes recent successful demonstrations of their hydrogen-powered jet engine named The Blue Dragon, marking a significant milestone. Despite the enormous challenges of time and capital in the aerospace industry, Kundu's ambition drives the startup towards commercializing hydrogen-powered engines for civil and defense applications. The startup's strategic focus on key markets such as civil aviation, shipping, and defense highlights its versatile approach to sustainability and innovation. Green Aero's emphasis on liquid hydrogen as a promising fuel alternative resonates with industry shifts towards cleaner aviation technology, positioning the startup at the forefront of sustainable aerospace solutions.