450 Nagastra 1R Drones Delivered to Indian Army by Solar Defence
Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited has successfully supplied 450 Nagastra 1R drones to the Indian Army, marking a significant milestone in indigenous defense manufacturing.
The Nagastra 1R drones are designed for short-range kamikaze attacks within 5km.
This delivery is the largest single batch of drones supplied by any manufacturer to the Army.
The drones feature advanced surveillance capabilities and can autonomously abort missions if targets are undetectable.
In a significant development for India's defense capabilities, Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) announced on Tuesday that it has delivered 450 units of the Nagastra 1R drones to the Indian Army. This delivery is noted as the largest single batch supplied by any manufacturer, enhancing the Army's short-range attack capabilities.
The Nagastra 1R has been specifically designed for kamikaze attacks, targeting enemies within a range of 5 kilometers. An earlier version of this drone was utilized in Operation Sindoor, which involved longer-range engagements. The 1R variant is equipped with a 1kg warhead, optimized for striking soft targets such as troops and vehicles. It boasts advanced features including day and night surveillance cameras, night attack capabilities, and GPS-guided navigation with a circular error probable (CEP) of just 2 meters.
The procurement of these drones was initiated under emergency measures following extensive trials. In March of the previous year, four companies participated in technical evaluations at the Special Forces Training School in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh. The performance of the systems was rigorously assessed through live trials to ensure target accuracy. Sources indicate that the Nagastra series can strike targets up to 10 kilometers away and has an endurance of 40 minutes, exceeding standard requirements.
The indigenous development of the Nagastra 1R is a notable achievement, with over 80% of its components sourced locally. The design was developed in collaboration with Z Motion Autonomous Systems Private Limited based in Bengaluru. Additionally, SDAL is working on indigenizing motors, a critical component for the drones, in the near future.
Looking ahead, SDAL is also advancing the Kalsastra series of long-range drones, which will be capable of carrying warheads weighing up to 50 kilograms. Furthermore, preparations are underway for winter trials of the Canister Launched Anti-Armour Loitering Munitions (CALM), a system intended for deployment on infantry fighting vehicles, further enhancing the operational capabilities of the mechanized infantry.
