Bengaluru Start-Up Hyprix Aviation Becomes First Private Indian Firm to Develop Supersonic Ramjet Engine

In a remarkable leap for India’s private aerospace and defence sector, Bengaluru-based start-up Hyprix Aviation has become the first private company in the country to successfully develop and test a supersonic ramjet engine, marking a major milestone in indigenous high-speed propulsion technology.

Founded in June 2024 by engineer-entrepreneurs Devmalya Biswas and Divyanshu Mandowara, Hyprix was born from a vision to bridge India's technological gap in advanced propulsion systems—especially in areas long dominated by government agencies or foreign defence manufacturers. The two founders, friends since high school in Ahmedabad, launched Hyprix with a clear mission: to make India self-reliant in developing cutting-edge defence propulsion solutions.

Their flagship innovation, the Tezz-M1 Supersonic Ramjet engine, was successfully tested in January 2025 at the National Centre for Combustion Research and Development (NCCRD), IIT Madras. This engine represents a powerful breakthrough for several reasons. Unlike conventional rocket motors, Tezz is a liquid-fuelled ramjet that can efficiently operate at Mach 2 to Mach 4, making it highly suitable for next-generation supersonic missiles and aerial platforms.

What sets Tezz apart is its three to four times greater efficiency compared to traditional solid-fuel missile engines. This allows projectiles to fly faster and farther, maintaining high velocity over extended distances. This capability not only gives the military a strategic edge but also reduces the country's dependence on imported missile propulsion technology—an important step in support of the government’s ‘Make in India’ and self-reliant defence initiatives.

Tezz Ramjet Engine: Key Specifications

• Name: Tezz-M1

• Type: Liquid-fuelled Supersonic Ramjet Engine

• Operational Speed: Mach 2 – Mach 4

• Efficiency: 3x–4x higher than solid rocket motors

• Use-case: Supersonic cruise missiles, air-launched systems, and advanced UAVs

• Test Site: NCCRD, IIT Madras

• Test Date: January 2025

Achieving this technological feat wasn’t easy. The duo faced early scepticism from the scientific community, struggled with funding gaps, and dealt with sourcing aerospace-grade materials in a sector heavily regulated by export controls and defence procurement norms. However, through innovation, grit, and government start-up funding, they managed to turn their idea into reality in just five months—a timeline that is almost unheard of in aerospace development.

Building on the success of Tezz, Hyprix is now working on its next product, Kira-M1, a 155mm extended-range artillery shell powered by ramjet propulsion and guided by AI-based navigation systems. This ambitious system is designed to dramatically increase the range and precision of Indian artillery—an essential upgrade as India looks to boost ammunition manufacturing for future readiness.

Though still a bootstrapped company, Hyprix is actively seeking additional investment to fund its expanding portfolio, which includes both military and commercial applications. Future plans involve navigation systems for supersonic and hypersonic vehicles, a field that could redefine high-speed transport and aerial combat.

Hyprix’s achievements underscore the shifting dynamics of India’s defence ecosystem. What was once the exclusive domain of government entities like DRDO is now being reshaped by agile, innovation-driven start-ups. As Hyprix continues its journey, it not only showcases the potential of Indian talent and entrepreneurship but also signals a new era where private firms play a leading role in building a self-reliant and globally competitive defence industry.