India is preparing to begin testing an indigenous ramjet-powered supersonic cruise missile being developed by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), advancing the country’s efforts to strengthen its domestic long-range strike capabilities. The missile is distinct from both the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile and the ASTRA Mk-3. While the ASTRA Mk-3 uses Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet propulsion, the new cruise missile is understood to employ Liquid Fuel Ramjet (LFRJ) technology derived from the Supersonic TARget (STAR) programme. Developed under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the weapon is being designed as a lighter alternative to the BrahMos, which weighs approximately 2.5 tonnes in its air-launched configuration. It is intended for integration with the Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi Su-30MKI multirole fighter, with its lower weight potentially allowing a single aircraft to carry multiple missiles and deliver a greater volume of precision strikes during one sortie. Available information indicates that the missile uses DRDL’s liquid-fuel ramjet technology, combining a booster for initial acceleration with a ramjet engine for sustained supersonic flight. Such propulsion systems are designed to maintain high speeds throughout the flight profile while offering greater efficiency than conventional rocket-powered systems. Recent developments suggest the programme has progressed beyond the conceptual stage, with structural test articles reportedly being prepared for integration and carriage assessments. These activities represent an important step towards future flight testing and platform qualification. The project forms part of DRDO’s broader effort to expand India’s indigenous supersonic cruise missile portfolio, with DRDL advancing liquid-fuel ramjet technologies for future long-range air-launched and surface-launched precision-strike weapons. For the Indian Air Force, a lighter indigenous supersonic cruise missile could complement existing stand-off strike systems by providing high-speed engagement capability without the payload limitations associated with heavier weapons. This could allow Su-30MKI aircraft to perform a wider range of missions while carrying a larger weapons load. Although the missile is currently being developed with the Su-30MKI in mind, it could also have implications for the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas fleet. Its reduced size and weight compared with BrahMos could make it a more practical candidate for integration with the Tejas Mk-1A and upcoming Tejas Mk-2. Such integration would provide the indigenous fighters with a supersonic stand-off strike capability against high-value targets while preserving aircraft performance and payload flexibility. It would also support the Tejas programme’s emphasis on indigenous weapons, complementing its expanding inventory of domestically developed air-to-air and air-to-surface systems. The programme reflects India’s continued focus on developing indigenous propulsion technologies and reducing dependence on foreign systems. If testing progresses successfully, the missile could become an important addition to the country’s next-generation precision-guided strike arsenal and further enhance the operational capabilities of the Su-30MKI fleet.
