DRDO’s Defence Research and Development Laboratory is preparing to move its indigenous liquid-fuel ramjet-powered supersonic cruise missile towards testing, adding a new capability to India’s developing long-range strike arsenal. The weapon is separate from the BrahMos cruise missile and ASTRA Mk-3 air-to-air missile. Unlike ASTRA Mk-3, which uses Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet technology, the new missile is understood to draw on Liquid Fuel Ramjet propulsion developed through the Supersonic TARget (STAR) programme. Designed as a lighter alternative to the air-launched BrahMos, which weighs around 2.5 tonnes, the missile is intended initially for the Indian Air Force’s Su-30MKI fighter. Its lower weight could enable the aircraft to carry multiple missiles on a single sortie, increasing strike capacity and operational flexibility. The propulsion system reportedly combines a booster for initial acceleration with a liquid-fuel ramjet engine to sustain supersonic flight, offering the potential for efficient high-speed performance compared with conventional rocket-powered designs. The programme appears to have advanced beyond the conceptual phase, with structural test articles reportedly being prepared for integration and carriage evaluations. These preparations would mark progress towards flight testing and qualification on the intended aircraft. The development is part of DRDO’s wider effort to build an indigenous family of supersonic cruise missiles, supported by DRDL’s work on liquid-fuel ramjet technology for future air-launched and surface-launched precision-strike systems. A lighter weapon could complement existing stand-off missiles by giving the IAF a high-speed strike option without the payload burden of heavier systems, allowing Su-30MKI aircraft to undertake more varied missions with a larger weapons load. The missile could also offer a future integration opportunity for the Tejas Mk-1A and Tejas Mk-2. Its smaller size and reduced weight relative to BrahMos could make it more suitable for these indigenous fighters, potentially providing a supersonic stand-off strike capability against high-value targets while retaining aircraft performance and payload flexibility. Integration would further advance the Tejas programme’s focus on indigenous weapon systems, alongside its growing range of locally developed air-to-air and air-to-surface armaments. The project underscores India’s drive to develop domestic propulsion technologies and reduce reliance on foreign systems. Successful testing could eventually establish the missile as a significant addition to India’s next-generation precision-strike inventory, while expanding the Su-30MKI’s operational capabilities.
