In a major leap towards strengthening indigenous defense capabilities, the Indian Army has signed a deal with Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) for the acquisition of approximately 450 Nagastra-1R loitering munitions, the company confirmed in an official statement. Valued at an estimated $54 million, the deal marks a substantial investment in locally developed precision-strike unmanned systems.
The Nagastra-1R is engineered as a cost-efficient and combat-effective solution, featuring full launcher system reusability. Equipped with a 360-degree gimbal camera, the drone also offers the integration of thermal imaging for enhanced night-time operations. It is supported by secure, proprietary encryption protocols for both video and telemetry communications, and boasts an advanced targeting accuracy of 2-meter Circular Error Probable (CEP). With over 80% indigenous components, the system reflects India’s growing defense self-reliance.
The platform has undergone extensive field testing in strategic regions such as Ladakh and Babina in Uttar Pradesh, demonstrating its capability to perform across varied terrain and combat conditions.
Further solidifying SDAL’s reputation as a key defense innovator, the company recently completed a successful trial of its Hybrid VTOL UAV Rudrastra at the Pokhran Firing Range. Tailored to meet Indian Army specifications, the UAV fulfilled multiple high-performance criteria, including vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), high endurance, and mission flexibility.
Rudrastra showcased an operational range of over 170 kilometers, with a mission radius exceeding 50 kilometers. During the test, it maintained a steady real-time video link and returned to base autonomously. A standout moment came when the UAV deployed a precision-guided anti-personnel warhead, which executed a controlled airburst detonation, delivering significant lethality within the intended radius—meeting and exceeding military standards.
In another key development, SDAL has also made progress in counter-drone warfare. It recently tested a low-cost hard-kill system called Bhargavastra, designed to neutralize hostile drone swarms using micro-rocket technology. The system underwent successful trials at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur on May 13–14, under the supervision of high-ranking officials from the Army Air Defence Corps.
Together, these advancements highlight SDAL’s role in India’s defense modernization and reinforce the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aiming to achieve strategic self-reliance in cutting-edge military technologies.
