India-Russia Join Forces to Manufacture BrahMos Ramjet Engines in Uttar Pradesh

In a powerful step toward defense self-reliance, India is doubling down on its goal to “Make in India” — this time, by bringing one of the most critical technologies of its supersonic missile program home.

According to Sputnik India, India and Russia have entered discussions to manufacture ramjet engines for the BrahMos and BrahMos-NG missiles within Indian borders. The collaboration reflects not just a deepening strategic partnership but a shared vision of advancing next-generation defense technology while cutting dependence on foreign imports.

India’s Push for Aerospace Self-Reliance

India’s commitment to strengthening its indigenous aerospace and missile production capabilities has grown substantially under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and “Make in India” missions. With an eye on the future, the Indian defense establishment has consistently worked to localize components of key strategic platforms — and the BrahMos missile system stands at the forefront of that effort.

A significant aspect of the latest development is the plan to manufacture liquid-fueled ramjet engines domestically — a critical engine type that enables the BrahMos missile’s blistering supersonic speed and precise strike capability.

What Is a Ramjet Engine?

A ramjet is a type of airbreathing jet engine that uses the engine’s forward motion to compress incoming air for combustion, instead of using rotating compressor blades like in turbojets. Ramjets are most efficient at supersonic speeds, particularly around Mach 3 (3,700 km/h or 2,300 mph), and can operate up to Mach 6 (7,400 km/h or 4,600 mph).

This makes them ideal for high-speed applications such as cruise missiles. They are compact, fast, and lack moving parts, making them relatively simple and reliable in high-speed environments. Ramjet technology is even being considered in advanced artillery shells and future high-speed UAVs due to its compact and powerful nature.

• BrahMos is a joint venture between India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya.
• It is the fastest supersonic cruise missile in the world, reaching speeds of Mach 2.8–3.5 and covering ranges from 290 to 800 km, depending on the variant.
• BrahMos is operational across platforms: land, sea, air, and submarine.
• The missile is known for its “fire-and-forget” precision, and its combat success was recently demonstrated in Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, where it struck terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK.

The BrahMos-NG (Next Generation), currently under development, is a lighter and more versatile variant intended for lighter aircraft such as the LCA Tejas and MiG-29, in addition to heavy platforms like the Su-30MKI. It will:

• Weigh around 1.33 tonnes (half of BrahMos-A),
• Include stealth shaping,
• Feature advanced ECCM (electronic counter-countermeasure) technology,
• Be launchable from torpedo tubes, enabling use in submarine warfare.

Progress in Ramjet Fuel & Engine Development

India’s journey toward full BrahMos self-reliance took a leap forward in May 2024, when DRDO’s DMSRDE successfully tested an indigenous liquid ramjet fuel that performs at temperatures as low as -50°C to -55°C — replacing critical Russian imports.

According to IAF veteran Vijainder K. Thakur, the DRDO is also developing a 350 mm liquid-fueled ramjet (LFRJ) engine using technology from the BrahMos joint venture. This engine will power not only BrahMos and BrahMos-NG but also future aerial target drones to improve IAF pilot training. A technology transfer agreement has already been signed to facilitate this localized engine production.

The Lucknow Facility: India’s New Missile Hub

At the heart of this engine manufacturing plan lies the BrahMos Aerospace facility in Lucknow, inaugurated on May 11, 2025, by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

• Spread across 80 hectares,
• Built at a cost of ₹300 crore,
• It includes seven supporting units and a Strategic Materials Technology Complex for aerospace-grade components.
• Production capacity: 80–100 BrahMos/BrahMos-NG missiles annually starting in 2026, with a target of 100–150 units in the future.

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