Harshvardhan Mishra
The Indian Army is on the brink of creating military history. For the first time anywhere in the world, a standing army is preparing to operationally use ramjet-powered artillery shells—a breakthrough that could redefine long-range firepower and battlefield dominance.
This leap is not incremental. It is transformational. By marrying traditional tube artillery with advanced propulsion normally reserved for missiles, India is pushing the limits of what a conventional gun can achieve.
What Makes This Development Historic?
To understand the impact, imagine the difference between a standard cricket ball and one fitted with a tiny engine.
Conventional artillery shells rely solely on the explosive force generated inside the gun barrel. Once fired, they coast ballistically until gravity pulls them down. The new ramjet-powered shells, however, continue to generate thrust in flight, allowing them to travel 30–50% farther while retaining—if not increasing—their destructive power.
This is the first time in the world that ramjet propulsion, long used in missiles, is being successfully adapted for gun-fired ammunition.
Indigenous Brilliance Behind the Breakthrough
The technology has been spearheaded by IIT Madras, working closely with defence partners. The shells have already undergone successful trials at the Pokhran firing ranges in Rajasthan, one of India’s most demanding weapons-testing environments.
The results, according to defence sources, have exceeded expectations—proving both range extension and flight stability under extreme conditions.
Zee News has been among the outlets highlighting this achievement as a major milestone in India’s defence innovation ecosystem.
Why the 155mm Standard Matters
The Indian Army is simultaneously executing a crucial doctrinal shift: standardising artillery around the 155mm calibre.
Until recently, the Army operated a mix of:
- 105mm light guns
- 122mm and 130mm medium guns
- 155mm heavy guns
This diversity complicated logistics, training, and maintenance. Moving to a single calibre is like replacing a bulky keychain with one master key—simpler, faster, and far more efficient.
What Does “155mm, 52 Calibre” Actually Mean?
The term 155mm refers to the internal diameter of the gun barrel—the width of the shell.
When a gun is described as 52 calibre, it means the barrel length is 52 times the diameter.
So:
- 155mm × 52 ≈ 8 metres long
That’s roughly the length of a small bus, designed to maximise muzzle velocity and range.
India’s Modern 155mm Arsenal
India’s artillery modernisation programme already features a powerful lineup:
- Dhanush howitzer – Indigenous, long-range, battle-proven
- ATAGS – Among the world’s longest-range towed guns, developed with DRDO
- K9 Vajra – South Korean design, manufactured in India under Make in India
- M777 – Ultra-light, airlift-capable gun for mountain warfare
The ramjet-powered shell is designed to be compatible with this entire 155mm ecosystem.
Why Heavy Artillery Is the Backbone of Modern Warfare
Artillery remains the largest casualty-causing arm on the battlefield. Heavy guns like 155mm systems are tasked with:
- Neutralising enemy artillery
- Destroying command centres and logistics hubs
- Striking deep targets from protected distances
- Shaping the battlefield before ground forces advance
With extended-range shells, these guns can now hit targets far beyond the reach of most enemy artillery, dramatically improving survivability.
How Does a Ramjet Shell Actually Work?
A ramjet engine is deceptively simple—no moving parts, no turbines, no compressors.
But it has one requirement: speed.
- Initial Boost
The shell is fired conventionally and accelerated by a small booster to around Mach 2 (twice the speed of sound). - Air Compression by Speed
At this velocity, air rushing into the intake is naturally compressed—no machinery required. - Sustained Thrust
Fuel is injected and ignited in the compressed air. Hot gases exit the rear nozzle, producing continuous thrust.
Unlike rockets, ramjets do not carry oxygen. They breathe air from the atmosphere, saving weight and allowing more fuel for sustained propulsion.
A simple analogy:
Someone pushes you on a bicycle downhill (booster). Once you’re fast enough, the wind itself keeps you going (ramjet effect).
Strategic Impact for India
This capability places India in a global leadership position in artillery technology.
Key advantages include:
- Longer strike range from safer positions
- Fewer shells per target, improving efficiency
- Reduced exposure of gun crews
- True indigenous innovation, not imports
With institutions like IIT Madras driving cutting-edge research and the Indian Army rapidly absorbing new technologies, India is no longer just modernising—it is setting benchmarks.
The Bigger Picture
The Indian Army’s artillery transformation is not about bigger explosions alone. It is about smarter systems, technological self-reliance, and doctrinal superiority.
By fielding the world’s first ramjet-powered 155mm artillery shells, India is sending a clear message:
the future of battlefield firepower is being written in India—and the world is watching.
