Indian Army Artillery Systems : News and Updates

More Ramjet Arty news coming out.
"These shells extend range by 30–50% while retaining destructive power"

Either way, bodes well that the Army is leading this project -- it should give them the confidence they don't need to remain just a "user". And this might pave the way for a US DoD style grants/funding with universities.

 
More Ramjet Arty news coming out.
"These shells extend range by 30–50% while retaining destructive power"

Either way, bodes well that the Army is leading this project -- it should give them the confidence they don't need to remain just a "user". And this might pave the way for a US DoD style grants/funding with universities.

Won't be operational before 2029
 
Either way, bodes well that the Army is leading this project -- it should give them the confidence they don't need to remain just a "user". And this might pave the way for a US DoD style grants/funding with universities.
This part is the most crucial. Instead of the old decades long user army habit, today the tri services need to be builders and inventors army. I never understood the concept of DRDO so so many labs having to make even mundane things not fit for use, but for own IPR because every political party has no problem feeding off its vote bank thru this huge Govt job pool whenever they are in power. This always did the cut off in funding for the armed forces naturally they were not happy.

Part of the research related budget allocation should go to the tri services too, instead of fully to academia via DRDO TDF DST SERB DSIR etc funding channel. It would mean direct interaction between the forces and academia like in this case.
 
This part is the most crucial. Instead of the old decades long user army habit, today the tri services need to be builders and inventors army. I never understood the concept of DRDO so so many labs having to make even mundane things not fit for use, but for own IPR because every political party has no problem feeding off its vote bank thru this huge Govt job pool whenever they are in power. This always did the cut off in funding for the armed forces naturally they were not happy.

Part of the research related budget allocation should go to the tri services too, instead of fully to academia via DRDO TDF DST SERB DSIR etc funding channel. It would mean direct interaction between the forces and academia like in this case.

They need to increase the funding for IDEX and get more programs under it. A lot of low end and niche stuff can be handled there itself.
 
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Frankly I don't get the point of your objection in this case in the light of what I've explained above.
When replying before, I did not see whether a production partner was involved or not, Munition India in this case. Although their job is likely handling the explosives part during making the shell, or if they use an empty shell it still needs the gunpowder (IIT prof or student won't handle that without explosives handling license, neither would the army personnel for making the shell).

So until the tech is proven, no production or even limited induction can happen. 50-100 shells limited trial production is not same as induction, those are used in range firing. Army procurement is like a large initial volume order then about 25-50% of that each year depending on consumable. Now before production happens, MIL need clearance certificate issued by both CEMILAC that is jointly submitted by army & IIT along with test certificates and perhaps the AHSP handover can happen sometimes later.

So its not the critical part I meant, rather the process thru which they have to get thru for just making the product available for production. Since a critical product, it will also need ageing testing for shelf life determination, handling, storage formula development, all of document related to this to be signed by respective army officer in charge. These things take time, at least 18-36 months to get ready for trial production at MIL.

Best part is due to army involvement, they won't have to rely on schedule issue with third party inspection at every stage (which delays every single step from 300-60days , from material procurement to PDI)

example: in below that ATR report cited, it is usually available many months after flight test, data analysis, verification and amendment done to the report which was in 2020. Currently used in a production lot yet to be placed and its 2026.

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Retrofit a ramjet propulsion system to an existing shell? Is that even possible? I meant this is not the same as bolting on a gps/glide wing kit.

Afaik, no other mfgr (Nammo, et all) is making such a claim.
 
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Retrofit a ramjet propulsion system to an existing shell? Is that even possible? I meant this is not the same as bolting on a gps/glide wing kit.

Afaik, no other mfgr (Nammo, et all) is making such a claim.
I do not have a clue either, but it is likely the duration will be very small, ie for a few seconds only to gain a greater kinetic impulse. Say when you fire off the shell , it has great speed and goes in a ballistic path, at the apogee its speed reduces. In this moment or just before that there is definitely a point of time where the shells velocity is such that the condition for ramjet action is met (like brahmos). So the ramjet mode starts but for a few seconds to give another kinetic thrust to the shell. Then the shell glides towards its target or drop off point.

Whether this is achieved by retrofitting a separate ramjet module to a shell or it is a new inclusive design with a tiny ramjet module inside along with fuel, we have to see. Solid ramjet I don't know how that works.
 
I do not have a clue either, but it is likely the duration will be very small, ie for a few seconds only to gain a greater kinetic impulse. Say when you fire off the shell , it has great speed and goes in a ballistic path, at the apogee its speed reduces. In this moment or just before that there is definitely a point of time where the shells velocity is such that the condition for ramjet action is met (like brahmos). So the ramjet mode starts but for a few seconds to give another kinetic thrust to the shell. Then the shell glides towards its target or drop off point.

Whether this is achieved by retrofitting a separate ramjet module to a shell or it is a new inclusive design with a tiny ramjet module inside along with fuel, we have to see. Solid ramjet I don't know how that works.
I was wondering how the compressed air from the Brahmos style inlet nose cone could flow into the ramjet at the rear with the shell body obstructing it.

But this article from Gen PR Shankar (of Gunner's Shot fame) explains it all. The idea is to fit a 105mm shell into the casing of a 155mm round and using the space between them to create an airflow/combustion chamber. Interestingly, he also talks about the possible application of this tech on the Pinaka.

Ramjets For Armed Forces by Lt Gen P R Shankar (R)
 
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I was wondering how the compressed air from the Brahmos style inlet nose cone could flow into the ramjet at the rear with the shell body obstructing it.

But this article from Gen PR Shankar (of Gunner's Shot fame) explains it all. The idea is to fit a 105mm shell into the casing of a 155mm round and using the space between them to create an airflow/combustion chamber. Interestingly, he also talks about the possible application of this tech on the Pinaka.

Ramjets For Armed Forces by Lt Gen P R Shankar (R)
Yeah I remember reading that, though forgot exact details. Air intake channel can be created with modification like that. If a fitted kit like design method is adopted then it will be for existing shell design. Alternatively a new purpose based design can be created by aerodynamic design analysis to find out where the warhead can be placed, leading edge heating protective cover, possible canard/wing control etc. A clean slate development like LRGB. This application might even work for the glide bombs somewhat as rocket assisted article.
 
IIT-M/ARDE ramjet shell during field trials at Pokhran.
Some more details:
  • First successful firing 2yrs ago with a 78mm gun (note this is half of 155mm)
  • Pokhran firing uses the Soltam 155mm since Amry was okay if it suffered a loss, lol
  • Next firings will use ATAGS and other 155mm guns
  • A total of 60 more firings to characterize range and accuracy
  • After that will be the 122mm pinaka (note this is roughly half of 214mm)
  • Then the 214mm
  • Potential induction timeframe: ~2yrs
 
You need to have insurance cover of Rs 1 lakh or more for each manpower and also insurance on the gear used , else army would not approve the clearance. Since army involved so maybe they waived off that option. usually it is hard for such co-dev effort due to these issues, not enough funding to cover all cost which will also have to pass the audit.
 
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IIT madras has recorded a significant defence-technology breakthrough with the development of ramjet-assisted artillery shells capable of extending the range of existing gun systems by nearly 50%, without any loss in lethality.The innovation embeds a ramjet engine within a standard 155 mm artillery shell, replacing the conventional base-bleed unit. This enables sustained propulsion after the shell exits the gun barrel, resulting in longer range, deeper strike capability and enhanced operational flexibility — all without the need for new artillery platforms or costly missile systems.

Trials across multiple platforms show substantial range improvements:
• ATAGS: 40 km → ~70 km
• Vajra: 36 km → ~62 km
• Dhanush: 30 km → ~55 km

The project led by Prof. P. A. Ramakrishna, IIT Madras, along with Lt Gen P R Shankar (retd), Prof. H. S. N. Murthy, Prof. G. Rajesh, Prof. M. Ramakrishna, Prof. Murugaiyan, Lt Gen Hari Mohan Iyer (retd), Prof. Lazar C, and Dr Yogesh Kumar Velari was launched in 2020 in collaboration with the Indian Army, the project has undergone extensive gun and field trials at Deolali and Pokhran, successfully validating clean gun exit, stable flight and reliable ramjet ignition.

This work highlights the impact of Atmanirbhar Bharat and demonstrates how upgrading existing systems can deliver cost-effective, survivable and future-ready firepower for modern battlefields.
 
Would it be technically feasible to adapt the same ramjet propulsion system to a supersonic ATGM on the lines of the Russian Krisantema-S?

Such a weapon should be very handy against the composite+ era armor of the PLAs latest Type-99 variants, heavy APCs and fortifications along the LAC. In particular, APS systems will have a hard time against it.
 
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I am still trying to get to terms with this concept.
Shells fired are essentially ballistic projectiles, meant for mass use volume wise therefore less rigorous demand for accuracy.
Hence todays arty guns are all electric drive with ballistic computer doing the calculation for better improved accuracy.

We also know in terms of ballistic property, the further away you fire, your target zone gets bigger hence need for accuracy rises.
We have krasnopol/excalibr like guided projectiles in market that offers high precision possibly for lesser range.
In this regard, I hope they are meeting the range extension with guidance scheme together. Cost wise, we have to see as it would affect volume part.