Rohit Chouhan, a visionary in the aerospace industry, has carved an impressive path from his early days at DRDO to co-founding Nabhdrishti Aerospace, a deep tech venture to revolutionize aviation and power generation. With a rich background in gas turbine technology and a remarkable track record at General Electric and Rolls-Royce, where he earned over 50 US patents, Chouhan is now channelling his expertise into developing fuel-agnostic gas turbines. His journey is a testament to innovation, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of dreams in facing challenges, particularly within India’s evolving aerospace landscape.
Q1: Can you share a bit about your background and journey to starting Nabhdrishti Aerospace?
Rohit Chouhan: I grew up in Moradabad and pursued my M—Tech from IIT Delhi in 2002. I started my career at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a scientist at the Gas Turbine Research Establishment, where I worked on the Kaveri gas turbine engine for the Tejas fighter aircraft. After contributing to the success of the Kaveri engine, I shifted my focus to developing small gas turbine engines for unmanned vehicles and cruise missiles. In 2007, I joined General Electric (GE) where I led the establishment of the gas turbine team in Bangalore, driving new product developments and achieving a significant impact with over 50 US patents. My work at GE contributed to more than $500 million in revenue. In 2016, I moved to Rolls-Royce, where I led teams on the Airbus A350 engine redesign project. By 2023, alongside my co-founders Arjun Srivatsa and Antanu Sadhu, we decided it was time to pursue our dream of establishing a deep tech venture, leading to the founding of Nabhdrishti Aerospace.
Q2: What key challenges did you face in the initial stages of Nabhdrishti Aerospace, and how did you overcome them?
Rohit Chouhan The initial challenges were primarily related to overcoming the cultural mindset in India that deep tech ventures are difficult to succeed. Securing venture capital was challenging, but we managed to achieve our targets ahead of schedule with funding from IIM Ahmedabad. Hiring the right talent was also a significant challenge, but our established networks played a crucial role in this. Convincing institutions like the Indian Institute of Science to incubate us was another hurdle, as there was scepticism about the viability of deep tech in India. Overall, the biggest challenge was the prevailing mindset, but other issues like funding and talent acquisition could be managed or overcome with persistence.
Q3: What are the core technologies and innovations that Nabhdrishti Aerospace focuses on?
Rohit Chouhan: Our key innovations include developing fuel-agnostic gas turbines that can operate on aviation jet fuel, CNG, LNG, and hydrogen in the future. We are enhancing fuel efficiency with advanced heat exchanger technology, such as recuperators, which can improve fuel efficiency by more than 20% compared to conventional turbines. We also focus on cost competitiveness by utilizing a local supply chain in India. Our gas turbines are designed for both aviation and power generation applications, with a common core technology applicable to both fields.
Q4: Can you share any groundbreaking projects or current developments at Nabhdrishti Aerospace?
Rohit Chouhan: We are currently in the process of testing and developing our fuel-agnostic technology. We have begun demonstrating our combustion system at the National Combustion Research Development Lab at Indian Institute of Science ( IISc ), Bangalore. Our product design is complete, and we are gearing up to test our first engine. Our team of around 18 people is making great progress in our technology development, and we are on track to meet our milestones.
Q5: How do you view the current landscape of the aerospace industry, especially in India?
Rohit Chouhan: The aerospace industry in India is booming, with rapid growth in both the civil and defense aviation sectors. The civil aviation sector is expanding quickly, with increasing numbers of passengers and new airlines entering the market. On the defense side, there is a strong focus on self-reliance and Indigenous development, such as the Tejas fighter aircraft and UAV programs. The market for our initial products is estimated at $15 billion globally and $3 billion within India, which presents a significant opportunity for us.
Q6: What major trends and prospects in the aerospace industry are you excited about?
Rohit Chouhan: I’m particularly excited about the overall growth in the aviation industry and the increasing use of UAVs for various applications, including goods delivery and reconnaissance. The concept of air taxis is also promising and could revolutionize transportation in urban areas. Additionally, the government’s focus on improving connectivity in remote areas and the growing interest from local companies in the global aerospace supply chain are positive trends that could drive the industry forward.
Q7: How important are government and private sector partnerships for the advancement of aerospace technology in India?
Rohit Chouhan: Government policies play a crucial role in the aerospace industry by providing visibility and facilitating partnerships. Clear policies, similar to those for space and semiconductors, would further support the growth of aerospace technology. Government support and policy clarity are essential for fostering innovation and attracting venture capital, which are critical for the advancement of aerospace technology in India.
Q8: What are your short-term and long-term goals for Nabhdrishti Aerospace?
Rohit Chouhan: In the short term, we are focused on our power generation products, which range from 275 kilowatts to 750 kilowatts, and our aviation engine designed for UAVs and small aircraft. In the long term, we plan to develop larger engines for 20-seater aircraft and expand our power generation capabilities to 2.5 megawatts. Our goal is to replace polluting diesel generators and continue to grow our product range to meet the evolving needs of the industry.
