SOURCE: AFI
In a significant revelation, Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has confirmed that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is yet to sanction funding for the development of India’s hypersonic cruise missile program. This delay persists despite a major technological breakthrough in scramjet propulsion, a critical enabler for hypersonic cruise missiles. Dr. Kamat’s remarks highlight both the progress made in hypersonic technology and the challenges in translating research into a fully funded weapon development program.
Speaking on the sidelines of a recent event, Dr. Kamat announced a significant achievement: “In hypersonic cruise missiles, we have recently proven scramjet propulsion for more than 1,000 seconds, which is a major breakthrough.” This milestone demonstrates India’s ability to sustain supersonic combustion ramjet (scramjet) propulsion, a complex technology that enables missiles to travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound) while maintaining maneuverability and precision.
Scramjet engines, which operate efficiently at hypersonic speeds, are a cornerstone of next-generation cruise missiles. Unlike traditional jet engines, scramjets use the high-speed airflow generated by the missile’s motion to compress and ignite fuel, eliminating the need for heavy onboard oxidizers. Sustaining scramjet propulsion for over 1,000 seconds (approximately 16.7 minutes) is a testament to DRDO’s advancements in materials, aerodynamics, and propulsion systems, positioning India among a select group of nations with such capabilities.
Despite this breakthrough, Dr. Kamat expressed hope that the government would soon approve a dedicated program to transform the scramjet technology into an operational hypersonic cruise missile. “We hope the government will sanction a program to convert this scramjet propulsion into a cruise missile,” he stated. The lack of funding for this initiative contrasts with the MoD’s approval of funds for the Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) program, which focuses on a different type of hypersonic weapon designed to glide toward its target after being launched by a ballistic missile.
Hypersonic cruise missiles, unlike HGVs, are powered throughout their flight, offering greater maneuverability and the ability to follow unpredictable trajectories. This makes them harder to detect and intercept, enhancing their strategic value in penetrating advanced air defense systems. The proposed hypersonic cruise missile would complement India’s existing missile arsenal, including the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, and provide a credible deterrent against regional threats.
The development of a hypersonic cruise missile is a priority for India, given the rapid advancements in hypersonic technology by regional powers like China and global players like Russia and the United States. Hypersonic weapons, capable of traveling at speeds between Mach 5 and Mach 10, offer reduced reaction times for adversaries and can strike high-value targets with unprecedented speed and precision. For India, such a capability would strengthen its strategic posture along its contested borders and in the Indo-Pacific region.
The DRDO’s scramjet breakthrough builds on earlier successes, including the 2020 test of the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV), which validated scramjet propulsion for shorter durations. The sustained 1,000-second test marks a significant leap, bringing India closer to operationalizing hypersonic cruise missiles. However, without MoD funding, the program risks stalling at the research stage, delaying India’s ability to field this advanced capability.
The delay in funding highlights broader challenges in India’s defense acquisition process, including budgetary constraints and competing priorities. The hypersonic cruise missile program requires significant investment in prototype development, testing, and integration with existing platforms, such as fighter jets or naval vessels. Additionally, the DRDO must address technical hurdles, such as thermal management for sustained hypersonic flight and guidance systems for high-speed maneuverability.
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