In a significant achievement for indigenous defence manufacturing, the Indian Army has inducted 480 Nagastra-1 loitering munitions, developed by Nagpur-based Solar Industries. These munitions, featuring over 75% indigenous content, were delivered under a contract finalised through emergency procurement powers, according to defence officials.

Nagastra-1 is the first loitering munition designed and developed entirely in India. The system is lightweight, man-portable, and tailored to enhance the Army’s precision strike capabilities. It is expected to play a crucial role in modern combat scenarios by enabling effective targeting with minimal collateral damage.

Solar Industries is also advancing its work on upgraded versions of the munition, named Nagastra-2 and Nagastra-3, which will feature extended range and enhanced warhead-carrying capacities. These systems are part of the company’s broader efforts to strengthen indigenous defence technology.

The company has also proposed the development of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones for the Indian defence forces. These efforts align with the Defence Ministry’s Indigenously Designed, Developed, and Manufactured (IDDM) category, encouraging self-reliance in defence production. Other Indian firms are also pursuing similar drone projects to build a strong domestic manufacturing ecosystem.

The Army plans to acquire 97 MALE drones to meet its surveillance requirements, with the broader goal of creating a robust indigenous drone industry. This initiative seeks to produce high-capability drones at competitive costs, reducing reliance on imports.

India’s focus on systems like Nagastra-1 and MALE drones underscores the country’s commitment to achieving self-reliance in defence technology. These developments not only enhance operational capabilities but also strengthen India’s defence manufacturing sector, reflecting a major step towards reducing foreign dependency.