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DRDO tests ramjet technology: What is it and why is it critical for Indian fighter jets?
Story by India Today Science Desk• 22h•
2 min read
DRDO tests Ramjet technology: What is it and why is it critical for Indian fighter jets?
India has taken a major leap in advanced missile technology as the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tests Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology, a capability mastered by only a handful of countries worldwide.
The demonstration was carried out at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha, at around 10.45 am on February 3, 2026.
With this success, India enters an elite league of nations that possess ramjet-powered missile technology, a critical enabler for developing next-generation, long-range air-to-air missiles.
WHAT IS RAMJET TECHNOLOGY?
A ramjet is a type of air-breathing jet engine that uses the missile's forward speed to compress incoming air, rather than relying on complex rotating parts like conventional jet engines.In a Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet, solid fuel is burned in a controlled manner as atmospheric air flows through the engine, producing sustained thrust at high speeds.
Unlike traditional rocket motors, which burn fuel quickly and then coast, ramjet-powered missiles can maintain high speeds for much longer durations, especially in the final phase of flight.
This makes them faster, more manoeuvrable and significantly harder for enemy aircraft to evade.
HOW DRDO TESTED RAMJET TECHNOLOGY?
During the test, the missile system was first accelerated to the required speed by a ground-based booster. Once it reached the desired Mach number, the ramjet system took over.According to DRDO, all key subsystems, including the nozzle-less booster, the solid fuel ducted ramjet motor, and the fuel flow controller, performed exactly as planned.
The missile's performance was closely tracked using multiple instruments deployed along the coast of the Bay of Bengal. Data collected during the flight confirmed the success of the technology, validating both propulsion and control systems.
Related video: 'Faster than BrahMos': DRDO calls new hypersonic anti-ship missile a game changer for India (The Times of India)
'Faster than BrahMos': DRDO calls new hypersonic anti-ship missile a game changer for India
This will have much more capabilities than our current Pramo
Senior scientists from several DRDO laboratories, including the Defence Research & Development Laboratory, High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, Research Centre Imarat and ITR, monitored the launch.
WHY RAMJET TECHNOLOGY IS IMPORTANT FOR INDIA?
The successful SFDR test has major strategic implications. Ramjet-powered air-to-air missiles can strike targets at much longer ranges while retaining high energy during the final moments before impact.This gives fighter aircraft a decisive edge in beyond-visual-range combat, allowing pilots to engage enemy jets earlier and from safer distances.
Globally, only a few countries have mastered this technology due to its engineering complexity, especially in managing stable combustion at supersonic speeds.
For India, the achievement reduces dependence on foreign suppliers and strengthens indigenous defence capabilities.
The technology is expected to play a crucial role in future Indian missile programmes, enhancing the combat effectiveness of the Indian Air Force and reinforcing India's position as a growing force in advanced defence research and development.
