DRDO Working on Indigenous Ramjet Engine to Boost Affordability of BrahMos Missiles

India's Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing an indigenous liquid fuel ramjet (LFRJ) engine to enhance the affordability of its BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. This strategic move aims to increase the missile's export potential, particularly after the successful delivery of BrahMos to the Philippines, India's first international customer.

Indigenous Engine for Cost Reduction and Exports​

The LFRJ engine, with a 350mm diameter, is based on technology acquired from Russia during the joint development of the BrahMos missile. By producing this critical component domestically, India aims to significantly reduce the missile's production cost, making it a more attractive option for potential international buyers.

Experts estimate that the current cost of a single BrahMos unit is around INR 340 million, largely due to the expensive ramjet engine. The indigenous LFRJ engine is expected to substantially decrease this cost, opening doors for more export opportunities and promoting the BrahMos as a cost-effective, world-class supersonic cruise missile.

Technological Advancement and Self-Reliance​

The development of the indigenous ramjet engine not only boosts the BrahMos missile's affordability but also aligns with India's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-Reliant India) initiative. This initiative emphasizes self-sufficiency in critical defense technologies, reducing reliance on foreign suppliers.

The successful development and integration of the indigenous LFRJ engine will be a significant technological achievement for India, demonstrating its growing expertise in missile propulsion systems. It will also pave the way for further advancements in BrahMos missile technology, including the development of longer-range variants and specialized versions for different platforms.

 

[Neal.B]

Wasn't Zircon aka Brahmos 2 supposed to take over Brahmos mk 1 with more than speed of mach 8!

 

[Satya Dev]

How long will we continue to chew the same BrahMos bone sharing 50% profits with roos? When we could develop MIRV ballistic missiles, why couldn't we develop an indigenous alternative for BrahMos for the last 30 years? What happened to the hypersonic variant with a model of which ex-CEO & MD of BrahMos Aerospace Mr Shivtanu Pillai used to pose some 15 years back?

 

[Anant]

Wasn't Zircon aka Brahmos 2 supposed to take over Brahmos mk 1 with more than speed of mach 8!

No, the BrahMos II was never supposed to take over from the BrahMos I. Both are different missiles for different roles.

Hypersonic missiles are far more difficult to intercept as compared to supersonic missiles, but they are also far more expensive. As it is, the present BrahMos is very expensive. Replacing them all with hypersonic missiles would be prohibitively expensive.

 

[NSR]

Addressing the issues of affordability and making it faster would give it a tremendous lift in exports to friendly countries and getting much needed hard currency over time.
Much of SE Asia, Middle East, Africa and Latin Americans would be eager to buy the Brahmos missiles for their defenses.
They will sell like hot curry puffs at Hyderabad Numeish Exhibition.

Way to go for sure.

 

[Bharat007]

Mach 4.5 is enough to be known as the fastest supersonic cruise missile for another decade. As per Chinese claim, India has more than 12,000 BrahMos missiles.😁

India should export it to Argentina, Armenia, Vietnam, etc...

 

[Sandeep]

Until India replaces that very important and crucial ramjet engine the missile will be very expensive. Now the military needs to decide on whether they will continue to use the original large and bulky missile for the navy, army and Air Force or whether to develop the Brahmos NG which is a much lighter and smaller missile but with the same capability and speed. If they are going to use the lighter and smaller Brahmos NG for the Air Force then will the navy and army use it or will they stick with the original large size. It will be difficult to use two very different versions of the same missile and very expensive so either the entire military should support and develop the Brahmos NG missile 100% indigenously which includes the crucial technology like the ramjet engine. If we decide to develop the Brahmos NG then the military will have to make changes to the launching platform like the vertical launch system for the navy or the transporter erector and launcher for the army. So there's no point developing a ramjet engine for the bulky large Brahmos missile if we are going to replace it with the Brahmos NG as the dimensions, specifications and technology will be completely different to a ramjet engine between the two missiles.

India is currently developing an indigenous ramjet engine and even recently tested it on the Astra MK2 which has the solid fuel ducted ramjet engine which passed its tests. The other option is to develop our own 100% indigenous missile that replaces the Brahmos missile entirely which would be better, cheaper and make us more self reliant without having to use any expensive Russian parts or technology.

 

[Pad UwU]

Wasn't Zircon aka Brahmos 2 supposed to take over Brahmos mk 1 with more than speed of mach 8!

AFAIK zircon tech won't be coming to brahmos ii unless Indian partner can pay the required amount of money and contract that will benefit both the Russian and it's partner.... Plus the agreement of not letting enemies of Russian gain anything from it😺

 

[Pad UwU]

How long will we continue to chew the same BrahMos bone sharing 50% profits with roos? When we could develop MIRV ballistic missiles, why couldn't we develop an indigenous alternative for BrahMos for the last 30 years? What happened to the hypersonic variant with a model of which ex-CEO & MD of BrahMos Aerospace Mr Shivtanu Pillai used to pose some 15 years back?

The current reality is the real thing.... Chew it😹😹😹😹
The fact that we can't do it, that's why we choose to partner with Russia unless Indian company innovate and make its own IP that wouldn't violate it's partnership with Russia on brahmos 😹😹😹

 

[Pad UwU]

Addressing the issues of affordability and making it faster would give it a tremendous lift in exports to friendly countries and getting much needed hard currency over time.
Much of SE Asia, Middle East, Africa and Latin Americans would be eager to buy the Brahmos missiles for their defenses.
They will sell like hot curry puffs at Hyderabad Numeish Exhibition.

Way to go for sure.

Yeah if we make it cheaper and flooded the market mostly in ASEAN.... China would get a big headache and we will lead the ranks of selling newer antiship missile before UK, EU, JAPAN and US release and marketed its own newer advance antiship missile of their own

 

[desigandu]

No, the BrahMos II was never supposed to take over from the BrahMos I. Both are different missiles for different roles.

Hypersonic missiles are far more difficult to intercept as compared to supersonic missiles, but they are also far more expensive. As it is, the present BrahMos is very expensive. Replacing them all with hypersonic missiles would be prohibitively expensive.

Hypersonic missiles as you have suggested given their cost, are strategic weapons and thus we will field them in small numbers…India must focus on a VLEO/LEO constellation like starlink/star shield at least around IOR to be able to look/see/ act with precision and also for reliable ISR 24X7 in the area…a weapon is useless against moving targets unless you can lock on it fast, continuously and guide the strike precisely…Chinese are making good progress to threaten US carriers but they do not have much options against US SSNs in a Taiwan straights conflict which is at most 5-6 years out…may we learn and adapt while we slowly increase our military spending/ capability as our GDP grows…Chinas weakness is Malacca and thus we must threaten their access to IOR…