India DRDO SFDR Missile Test

On February 3, 2026, the India — Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully demonstrated its Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology from the India — Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, off the Odisha coast. This achievement places India among an elite group of nations possessing this advanced propulsion system. The SFDR technology is crucial for developing long-range air-to-air missiles, which will enhance the India — Indian Air Force's ability to engage targets at extended ranges with greater speed and manoeuvrability. All critical subsystems, including the nozzle-less booster, the solid fuel ducted ramjet motor, and the fuel flow controller, performed as designed. The missile was initially accelerated by a ground-based booster, after which the SFDR propulsion system sustained the flight. Senior scientists from various DRDO laboratories, including India — Defence Research and Development Organisation, India — High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, India — Research Centre Imarat, and the India — Integrated Test Range, monitored the launch. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and DRDO Chairman Samir V. Kamat congratulated the teams involved.