On 3 February 2026, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully demonstrated the Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, off the Odisha coast. The test marks a major milestone in India’s missile development programme and places India among a select group of countries with this advanced propulsion capability.
SFDR technology is crucial for next-generation long-range air-to-air missiles, as it significantly enhances range, speed, and manoeuvrability, giving the Indian armed forces a strong tactical edge. During the flight test, all key subsystems—including the nozzle-less booster, ramjet motor, and fuel flow controller—performed as expected. After initial boost to the required Mach number, the ramjet system operated smoothly.
The system’s performance was validated using flight data from multiple tracking instruments deployed along the Bay of Bengal coast. Senior scientists from DRDL, HEMRL, RCI and ITR monitored the test. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V. Kamat congratulated the DRDO teams and industry partners on the successful demonstration.
