The Indian Army has received the first batch of domestically produced suicide drones known as Nagastra-1, news agency ANI reported on Friday. The first indigenous Loitering Munition, also known as a suicide drone, Nagastra-1, has been developed by Solar Industries, Nagpur.
The Indian Army has placed an order with Solar Industries’ Economics Explosives Ltd. (EEL) to supply 480 Loiter Munitions under Emergency Procurement Powers.
EEL delivered 120 Loiter Munitions to an Army Ammunition Depot after the successful completion of pre-delivery inspections, ANI reported, citing defence officials.
The Nagastra-1 operates in a "kamikaze mode" and is capable of neutralising hostile threats with precision GPS-enabled strikes, boasting an accuracy of two metres. Weighing nine kilograms, this man-portable fixed-wing electric UAV offers an endurance of 30 minutes, a man-in-loop range of 15 kilometres, and an autonomous mode range of 30 kilometres. Its electric propulsion system ensures a low acoustic signature, rendering it undetectable by adversaries at heights exceeding 200 metres, ANI reported.
Equipped with day and night surveillance cameras and a one-kilogram high explosive fragmenting warhead, the Nagastra-1 is designed to combat soft-skin targets effectively. Remarkably, its ability to abort missions and execute soft landings with a parachute recovery mechanism allows for multiple reuses, setting it apart from similar systems developed by advanced nations.
Economic Explosives Ltd (EEL), in collaboration with Z-Motion Autonomous Systems Pvt Ltd, Bangalore, has spearheaded the development of Nagastra-1, incorporating over 75 per cent indigenous content. This man-portable system, weighing 30 kilograms and transported in two rucksacks, comprises essential components such as the Ground Control Station, Communication Control, Payload, and Pneumatic Launcher, according to defence industry officials cited by ANI.