SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Army is intensifying efforts to fast-track the local development of a 155 mm ramjet-powered artillery munition, recognizing its transformative potential as the technology moves toward production globally. This strategic push aligns with India’s broader goal of achieving self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative.
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has been spearheading a prototype, while private sector companies, already engaged in 155 mm shell production for domestic and export markets, have also submitted compelling proposals to the Army, signaling robust industry participation.
The global artillery landscape is witnessing a paradigm shift, with ramjet-powered munitions promising unprecedented range and precision. Unlike conventional shells, which typically achieve ranges of 20-40 km, ramjet propulsion leverages air-breathing engines to extend ranges significantly, often doubling or tripling the reach of existing artillery systems. Countries like Norway, through companies such as Nammo, are targeting ranges up to 150 km, setting a high benchmark for next-generation artillery. The Indian Army’s urgency to indigenize this technology stems from the need to counter regional threats, particularly from China and Pakistan, while reducing dependence on imported precision-guided munitions (PGMs) like the U.S. Excalibur.
IIT Madras, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), and Research Centre Imarat (RCI), has been at the forefront of India’s ramjet munition development since 2020. Their prototype, showcased at Aero India 2025, is designed to achieve ranges exceeding 60-80 km when fired from systems like the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), Dhanush, K9 Vajra-T, and Haubits FH77. The shell incorporates a precision guidance kit (PGK) using India’s NavIC satellite system, with GPS as a backup, aiming for a circular error probable (CEP) of 10 meters—a 50-fold improvement over the 500-meter CEP of conventional Indian munitions. A successful test firing was reported in February 2024 at Balasore, marking significant progress. The project, led by experts like Lt. Gen. PR Shankar (Retd.), a professor at IIT Madras, emphasizes cost-effectiveness, with production costs projected to be five times lower than international competitors, potentially under $100,000 per round compared to $500,000 for global equivalents.
Parallel to IIT Madras’s efforts, private sector players have emerged as key contenders, leveraging their expertise in 155 mm shell manufacturing. Companies like Munitions India Limited (MIL), Bharat Forge, and others have ramped up production for export markets, including the UAE, Armenia, and Saudi Arabia, with MIL securing ?6,000 crore in export orders through 2026-27.
One standout proposal from the private sector involves a 155 mm ramjet extended-range precision-guided ballistic munition boasting a range of up to 150 km with a 5.2 kg payload and a CEP of approximately 3.5 meters, even in GPS-denied environments. This system’s ability to maintain precision without relying on GPS is particularly significant, given the increasing prevalence of electronic warfare and satellite jamming in modern conflicts. Such capabilities align with the Indian Army’s need for munitions that can operate effectively against sophisticated adversaries deploying anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) systems.
The private sector’s involvement is a game-changer, as firms bring agility, scalability, and export-oriented expertise to the table. For instance, Goodluck India is commissioning a plant by late 2025 to produce 150,000 precision shells annually, while MIL collaborates with IIT Madras on smart ammunition with a 38 km range and 10-meter CEP. The Army’s openness to private proposals reflects a shift toward public-private partnerships, crucial for meeting the 2021 expression of interest for 1,966 rounds of 155 mm terminally guided munitions (TGMs), with 25 rounds for prototype development in Phase I and mass production in Phase II.
Challenges remain, including the integration of ramjet engines into compact 155 mm shells, which requires advanced materials to withstand extreme heat and pressure, as well as miniaturized guidance systems. The reduced warhead size due to ramjet components—potentially compromising explosive yield—is another trade-off being addressed. IIT Madras’s trajectory simulations suggest a range of 89.7 km with a thrust-to-drag ratio of 1.6, but achieving the private sector’s proposed 150 km will demand further innovation. Additionally, the Army must balance the timelines of academic-led projects, which may extend into the late 2020s, with the private sector’s faster production capabilities.
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