DRDO successfully demonstrates solid fuel ducted ramjet technology, boosting India’s long-range missile capability: All you need to know - The Times of India

February 4, 2026 - 13:42

In a significant leap for indigenous defense technology, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully demonstrated a next-generation propulsion system. The test of the Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology marks a pivotal advancement for India's long-range air-to-air missile capabilities.

Conducted from a ground-based test facility, the demonstration validated critical technologies including a variable flow air intake mechanism and a stable solid fuel-fired ramjet combustor. The SFDR technology is a sophisticated air-breathing propulsion system that allows missiles to sustain high speeds without requiring an onboard oxidizer, as it uses atmospheric oxygen for combustion. This results in a more efficient, lighter, and longer-range missile compared to conventional solid-propellant systems.

The successful test provides a major boost to the development of futuristic long-range air-to-air missiles for the Indian Armed Forces. Such missiles, equipped with SFDR technology, would enable fighter aircraft to engage enemy targets at very long ranges with high precision and kinetic energy. This achievement underscores India's growing self-reliance in cutting-edge defense research and places it among a select group of nations mastering this complex propulsion technology. The development is expected to significantly enhance the operational capability of the Indian Air Force.