Nagpur: Strengthening the Indian Army’s indigenous precision-strike capabilities, Nagpur-based Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) on Tuesday announced the delivery of 450 Nagastra 1R kamikaze drone-based loitering munitions in a single batch, claiming it to be the largest such consignment supplied by any manufacturer.
Custom-developed for the Army’s short-range strike requirements, the Nagastra 1R is designed to locate and strike targets within a range of 5 km. Equipped with a 1-kg warhead, the system is intended to engage personnel and lightly protected vehicles, commonly classified as soft-skin targets.
The drone combines day-and-night surveillance cameras with GPS-guided navigation, enabling a claimed circular error probable (CEP) of just 2 metres. Its night-attack capability allows it to operate in low-visibility conditions, enhancing its utility for precision engagements.
One of the distinguishing features of the Nagastra series is its low acoustic signature. According to SDAL, the Nagastra 1R can remain undetected at altitudes exceeding 200 metres because of its reduced noise profile. The system also incorporates an abort-and-return capability, allowing it to abandon an attack if the intended target cannot be identified and return to its control station.
The Army placed the order under emergency procurement following a rigorous evaluation process. Four companies participated in technical trials conducted at the Special Forces Training School (SFTS) in Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh, in March last year. The systems were subsequently subjected to multiple live trials to assess their operational performance and target-hit accuracy.
While the Nagastra 1R has been customised for short-range engagements, sources said the broader Nagastra system can strike targets at distances of up to 10 km and remain airborne for 40 minutes — twice the stipulated endurance requirement. Independent sources have also indicated that its autonomous operating range extends up to 15 km.
Despite its capabilities, the system is designed for portability. Its total weight is approximately 30 kg, including the ground control station, communication control equipment and pneumatic launcher, enabling deployment by personnel in the field.
Solar Group Chairperson Satyanarayan Nuwal said the Nagastra 1R incorporates more than 80% indigenous content. The system was developed in association with Bengaluru-based Z Motion Autonomous Systems Private Limited, marking another step towards strengthening domestic defence manufacturing and reducing dependence on imported technologies.
The company is also working to indigenise the motors used in the system, a key component in its effort to increase domestic sourcing.
Meanwhile, SDAL is expanding its portfolio of unmanned precision-strike systems. It is developing the Kalsastra series of long-range drones, designed to carry warheads weighing up to 50 kg. The company is also preparing for winter trials of its Canister Launched Anti-Armour Loitering Munitions (CALM), a tube-launched weapon system intended for installation on infantry fighting vehicles operated by mechanised infantry units.
The latest delivery underscores Nagpur’s growing role in India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem, as domestic companies scale up the production of indigenous technologies for the armed forces.
