According to a media report, the Indian Army has received the first batch of man-portable suicide drones known as Nagastra-1. These drones are capable of accurately targeting enemy training camps, launch pads, and infiltrators, thereby reducing risks to soldiers. The high-tech drones have been completely designed and developed in India by Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), a subsidiary of Solar Industries, based in Nagpur. Reports indicate that these drones have an indigenous content of over 75 percent 

The introduction of these drones will significantly bolster the Indian Army's ability to conduct shallow strikes across the border when required. Drones such as the Nagastra-1, equipped with built-in warheads, are often referred to as kamikaze or exploding drones. According to defense officials, the Indian Army has placed an order for 480 such drones with EEL (Economic Explosives Limited), out of which 120 Nagastra-1s have already been delivered to an Army Ammunition Depot. 

The Nagastra-1, in its "kamikaze mode," is capable of neutralizing hostile threats with GPS-enabled precision strikes, achieving an accuracy of 2 meters. This man-portable fixed-wing electric UAV weighs 9 kg and has an endurance of 30 minutes. It operates with a man-in-loop range of 15 km and an autonomous mode range of 30 km. 

Defense officials highlight that its electric propulsion system provides a low acoustic signature, rendering it undetectable by the enemy when flying higher than 200 meters. 

The Nagastra-1 drones are equipped with munitions that can carry a 1 kg warhead up to a range of 15 km. An upgraded version is capable of carrying a 2.2 kg warhead and can strike targets up to 30 km away. 

In cases where a target is not detected or if the mission is aborted, the suicide drones can be called back and make a soft landing using a parachute recovery mechanism. This capability enables them to be reused multiple times. These drones were first unveiled in 2023 at the Niche Technology and Innovation display held at the Manekshaw Centre in April. 

Drones like the Nagastra-1 belong to a category known as loitering munitions. These aerial weapons are designed with an in-built warhead and are typically programmed to loiter in a specific area until a target is detected. Once a target is located, they attack by crashing into it. 

What distinguishes these drones is their ability to provide faster reaction times against hidden or fleeting targets. They achieve this without risking high-value platforms near the target area. This allows for more selective targeting because the attack can be adjusted mid-flight or aborted if necessary. This flexibility and precision make loitering munitions like the Nagastra-1 particularly valuable for military operations requiring rapid response and precise engagement of targets. 

Image Source: The Economic Times