In a significant advancement towards the Indian government’s initiative of achieving self-reliance in defense and ammunition systems, the Indian Army is set to induct its first indigenous loiter munition, Nagastra-1. Developed by Solar Industries, Nagpur, this cutting-edge technology represents a major milestone in the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) initiative.
The Indian Army has placed an order with Economic Explosives Ltd (EEL), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Solar Industries, for the supply of 480 loiter munitions under an emergency purchase. Following a successful Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) conducted from May 20-25, EEL has delivered the first batch of 120 loiter munitions to the Ammunition Depot at Pulgaon.
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Specifications and Capabilities
Nagastra-1, designed for precision strikes, can neutralize hostile threats with GPS-enabled accuracy, achieving a strike precision within a two-meter radius. This man-portable, fixed-wing electric UAV weighs nine kilograms and boasts an endurance of 30 minutes. It offers a man-in-loop operational range of 15 kilometers and an autonomous mode range of 30 kilometers. The electric propulsion system ensures a low acoustic signature, making it undetectable by enemies at altitudes exceeding 200 meters.
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Equipped with day and night surveillance cameras, the loiter munition also features a one-kilogram high-explosive fragmenting warhead capable of defeating soft-skin targets. Notably, if a target is not detected or if a mission is aborted, the loiter munition can be recalled, making a soft landing with a parachute recovery mechanism, thus enabling multiple reuses. This ability to abort, recover, and reuse sets Nagastra-1 apart from similar systems developed by advanced nations.
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Indigenous Development and Features
EEL has designed and developed Nagastra-1 with over 75% indigenous content in collaboration with Z-Motion Autonomous Systems Pvt Ltd, Bangalore. The system is highly portable, with a total weight of 30 kilograms distributed across two rucksacks, including the Ground Control Station, Communication Control, Payload, and Pneumatic Launcher.
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Impact and Future Prospects
Drone technology has increasingly proven to be a force multiplier in military operations, as evidenced in recent conflicts such as those between Armenia and Azerbaijan, in Syria, the strikes on oilfields in Saudi Arabia, and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. In India, there has been a noticeable rise in drone-related incidents along the Northern Borders recently, underscoring the importance of advancing indigenous drone capabilities.
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Most industries in India currently lack the expertise and facilities required for developing combat-ready drones and UAVs. However, Solar Industries has taken a proactive approach by developing weaponized drones capable of neutralizing various targets using gravity drop bombs, guided missiles, or in kamikaze mode as loiter munitions. The successful development of Nagastra-1 marks the beginning of many anticipated advancements in indigenous drone and UAV technologies.
The induction of Nagastra-1 is expected to significantly enhance the Indian Army’s operational capabilities, contributing to the broader goal of self-reliance in defense technology and boosting the indigenous defense manufacturing sector.