Propellants: the feasibility of their manufacture in India

Abstract

In the light of the recent Chinese aggression, the modernization of our defence forces has become a vital necessity. In this paper, one aspect of this problem has been considered in detail viz. the development of an indigenous rocket and missile force. While it is true that many factors e.g. rocket motors, propellants, guidance systems etc. are involved, it is also true that a start in one area will act as an impetus to developments in the other fields. Solid/liquid propellant and oxidizer systems have been considered, the properties of solid and liquid propellants evaluated and on the basis of such comparison, it has been concluded that effort concentrated on the development of liquid propellants will be well expended. Liquid propellant/oxidizer systems have been compared amongst themselves and it has been concluded that the hydrazine fuels oxidized by RFNA/WFNA/IRFNA would represent systems fulfilling the country's immediate military needs best. The availability of raw materials for the manufacture of hydrazine fuels (and also of some solid propellants) has been considered and it is shown that the necessary raw materials are available in sufficient quantities to support an indigenous propellants industry.