India’s Prime Toolings Launches Next-Gen Missile Propulsion with Dual-Booster

Bangalore-based deep-tech firm Prime Toolings has embarked on one of India’s most ambitious propulsion development programs, marking a defining moment in the country’s quest for self-reliance in advanced defence technologies. The initiative, which blends dual-booster propulsion with Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE) technology, is aimed at dramatically increasing missile range, thrust efficiency, and operational versatility across multiple platforms.

Indigenous Missile Propulsion

According to defence sources, the programme—quietly advancing since early 2025—entered a crucial phase in October 2025, when Prime Toolings began developing dual-booster engines engineered to operate in tandem with its indigenous detonation engine. This dual-configuration propulsion system is expected to revolutionize the thrust-to-weight dynamics of Indian missile systems, offering greater altitude gain and extended range performance.

The dual-booster setup, which integrates advanced combustion physics and modular engine design, is designed to be compatible with various missile classes—ranging from short-range interceptors to long-range surface-to-air and anti-ship systems. By combining two synchronized booster units with a core detonation chamber, the system ensures a more stable combustion process, resulting in enhanced acceleration and superior payload delivery.

Towards a New Generation of Missile Engines

Prime Toolings plans to conduct a full-scale test of its long-range missile engine by February 2026, marking a major milestone in India’s propulsion capability. The test engine will reportedly be integrated with a modified variant of the Barak missile, a system jointly developed by India and Israel. Preliminary simulations and early-stage testing indicate that the new propulsion design could extend the missile’s range well beyond the current 100 kilometres, placing it in a class suitable for longer-range interception and strike roles.

This performance boost could have a transformative impact on the Indian Navy’s and Air Force’s air-defence and anti-ship operations, where range, speed, and reaction time are critical to deterrence and precision engagement.

The Rotating Detonation Engine: A Game-Changing Innovation

The foundation of Prime Toolings’ propulsion push lies in its pioneering Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE), first unveiled in April 2025. Unlike conventional rocket or turbojet engines that rely on deflagration (subsonic combustion), the RDE harnesses continuous supersonic detonation waves to generate thrust. This unique process results in significantly higher energy efficiency and reduced fuel consumption, potentially improving performance by up to 25 percent compared to traditional designs.

In practical terms, such efficiency gains could enable short-range missiles, which typically operate in the 150–250 km bracket, to reach ranges between 300 and 500 kilometres without increasing engine size or fuel mass. The compact architecture of the RDE also makes it ideal for small, agile missile platforms, unmanned aerial vehicles, and space launch applications.

Aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat Vision

The propulsion advancements by Prime Toolings align closely with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative. By developing home-grown solutions for high-performance propulsion systems—traditionally dominated by foreign suppliers—Prime Toolings is helping India reduce its strategic dependence on imports in one of the most sensitive areas of defence technology.

Industry analysts note that propulsion technology has long been a bottleneck in India’s missile and aerospace ecosystem, often reliant on Russian, Israeli, or Western design inputs. Prime Toolings’ initiative signals a shift towards complete indigenous design, testing, and production, a critical step in achieving technological sovereignty.

Strategic Implications

The implications of this development go beyond a single engine or missile. A successful test of the dual-booster and RDE integration could lead to a new generation of indigenous missile systems, capable of longer ranges, higher speeds, and improved survivability. It would also open pathways for export opportunities, as nations in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East increasingly seek cost-effective, locally produced missile propulsion systems outside the Western supply chain.

Furthermore, RDE-based propulsion could be adapted for hypersonic flight research, satellite launch vehicles, and next-generation UAVs, offering a scalable technology base for future defence and space applications.