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Hindustan Times
24-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
450 loitering munitions ordered to help boost army's capabilities
The ministry of defence has ordered 450 locally produced loitering munitions, or kamikaze drones, from a Nagpur-based defence firm, Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd, to boost the army's precision targeting capabilities, weeks after Indian forces deployed these weapons to hit targets in Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, people aware of the matter said on Monday. Such munitions hover over the battle zone, locate the target and crash into it (AP) The ₹ 158-crore order for the Nagastra-1R loitering munitions is a follow-on contract to the 480 Nagastra-1 drones ordered for the army last year through the emergency procurement route, the people said, asking not to be named. The firm, a subsidiary of Solar Industries and earlier known as Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), will execute the new order in one year to meet the army's urgent needs. Such munitions hover over the battle zone, locate the target and crash into it. The Nagastra-1R is equipped with a 360-degree gimbal camera, with the option of using a thermal one for night operations, has a proprietary encryption for video and telemetry communication, and its launcher system is reusable, HT learnt. It has an indigenous content of around 80%. Loitering munitions --- including Nagastra-1, and Harop bought from Israel --- were deployed during Operation Sindoor. Nagastra-1 carries a one-kg warhead, has a maximum range of 30 km, and an endurance of 60 minutes. The exact specifications of the newer variant Nagastra-1R weren't immediately available. Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd has expanded its footprint in the country's defence manufacturing sector in recent years. In February, the defence ministry signed two contracts worth ₹ 10,147-crore to buy ammunition for the army's indigenous Pinaka multi-launcher rocket system — one of them was with Solar and the other with Pune-based Munitions India Limited. The Nagpur-based firm (then called EEL) has also supplied one million hand grenades to the army under a 2020 contract worth ₹ 409 crore. These replaced a World War-II vintage hand grenade design that was being used by the army. India launched the operation in the early hours of May 7 and struck terror and military installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror strike in which 26 people were shot dead. It triggered a four-day military confrontation with Pakistan involving fighter jets, missiles, drones, long-range weapons and heavy artillery before the two sides reached an understanding on stopping all military action on May 10. Days after the ceasefire, the government granted powers to the armed forces to make emergency purchases worth around ₹ 40,000 crore. On June 21, defence minister Rajnath Singh said India paused Operation Sindoor after Pakistan asked for a ceasefire. 'Operation Sindoor is not over yet. India is fully prepared to take all kinds of action against terrorism,' he said at the time, addressing troops in Udhampur. Private sector drone maker ideaForge Technology on Monday said it has secured an order worth ₹ 137 crore --- through the emergency procurement route --- for supplying mini UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) systems to the army, adding that these are battle-tested and inducted into the army's inventory for ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) operations. 'The platform has also been battle-tested during the recent Operation Sindoor, where it played a critical role in providing ISR to the armed forces. Its performance in live operations validated both its technological robustness and mission-critical value,' the company said in a statement. This emergency procurement for counter-insurgency and counter-terror operations will help safeguard national security, and 'reaffirms our commitment to building world-class, reliable UAVs in India', ideaForge Technology CEO Ankit Mehta said. 'It is a matter of pride that our platforms are not just made in India, but are also built to serve and protect India under the most demanding conditions, backed by a resilient and trusted supply chain,' he said. The execution timeline for this order is also set at 12 months, aligning with the army's immediate operational requirements. On June 19, the defence ministry said it has set up a high-powered committee, headed by the director general (acquisition), to steer a comprehensive review of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 for speedy modernisation of the armed forces and boosting self-reliance in the critical sector. The aim of the review, the ministry said, is to meet the operational requirements and modernisation needs of the armed forces in a timely manner to ensure national security and achieve self-reliance goals by promoting technology infusion through indigenously designed and developed systems.
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Nagastra-1R suicide drone: Check the features of this Made-in-India drone
The Indian Army has placed an order for 450 Nagastra-1R loitering munitions as part of its continued drive to enhance precision-strike capabilities and modernize its artillery and infantry support systems. Developed by Nagpur-based Solar Industries , the indigenous system represents a significant step toward self-reliance in next-generation tactical weaponry under the 'Make in India' initiative. 480 drones were ordered in 2024 Under the Indian Army's Emergency Procurement Powers, an order was placed with Solar Industries' Economic Explosives Ltd (EEL) for 480 Nagastra-1R loitering munitions. Following successful pre-delivery inspections, EEL delivered 120 units to an Army Ammunition Depot. "After successful completion of pre-delivery inspections, EEL delivered 120 Loiter Munitions to an Army Ammunition Depot," defence officials told ANI. Features of Nagastra-1 'Suicide Drone' The Nagastra-1 is a UAV-based loitering munition designed to act as an aerial ambush system. Its primary function is to hover above targets and execute precision strikes with GPS-enabled accuracy, achieving a remarkable precision of 2 meters. Precision Strike Capability: In "Kamikaze mode," Nagastra-1 can neutralize hostile threats by directly striking the target and destroying itself in the process. High Altitude Operation: The drone can fly at altitudes over 4,500 meters, making it difficult to detect by radar. Surveillance Equipment: It is equipped with day-night surveillance cameras and a warhead capable of defeating soft-skin targets. Endurance and Range: The fixed-wing electric UAV can operate for 60 minutes, with a man-in-loop control range of 15 kilometers and an autonomous mode range of 30 kilometers. Recovery Mechanism: The Nagastra-1 has an abort, recover, and reuse feature. If the target is not detected or the mission is aborted, it can be called back and safely landed using a parachute system, making it superior to similar systems developed by advanced countries. Strategic Advantages The Nagastra-1 drones are designed for precision strikes on enemy training camps, launch pads, and infiltrators, reducing the risk to soldiers. These man-portable drones are silent due to their electric propulsion and low acoustic signature, making them ideal for infantry operations. Live Events 'The drones are a cost-effective solution for targeting relatively lower-end threats, such as groups of infiltrating terrorists on the border. The drones also feature a parachute recovery mechanism, allowing them to be retrieved and reused in case of an aborted mission," as reported by Manu Pubby for ET. Indigenous Development and Cost Efficiency Developed entirely in India by EEL, Nagastra-1 boasts over 75% indigenous content, reducing reliance on foreign sources. This domestic production capability has resulted in significant cost savings compared to similar systems previously acquired from foreign vendors. The drones are capable of operating in extreme temperatures and high-altitude conditions, further enhancing their strategic value.
India.com
27-05-2025
- Science
- India.com
Big tension for Pakistan and China, DRDO set to test its most dangerous rocket launcher, can accurately hit targets up to…, capable of destruction in just 44 seconds, name is…
Big tension for Pakistan and China, DRDO set to test its most dangerous rocket launcher, can accurately hit targets up to..., capable of destruction in just 44 seconds, name is... India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a new and more powerful guided rocket system called Pinaka MkIII to boost the country's artillery strength. This advanced rocket can accurately hit targets up to 120 kilometers away, and test trials are expected to begin soon. Once deployed, this system is likely to be a major game-changer for the Indian Army, especially as a counter to long-range weapons used by neighboring countries like China and Pakistan. What is Pinaka MkIII? Pinaka MkIII is a multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) system, developed by DRDO's Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune, in collaboration with other research labs. It is the most advanced version in the Pinaka family, improving significantly over the earlier variants i.e. MkI (40 km range), MkII (60–90 km), and Guided Pinaka (75–90 km). Key features: Pinaka MkIII can strike targets up to 120 kilometers away. It carries a 250 kg warhead, powerful enough to destroy enemy command centers, bunkers, and supply hubs. The rocket has a 300 mm diameter, which is larger than the older 214 mm version. This allows for more fuel and advanced guidance systems, increasing its reach and performance. The system uses a high-tech Guidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC) kit developed by DRDO's RCI (Research Centre Imarat). This includes laser-gyro navigation and microstrip antennas, giving it a high precision of less than 10 meters Circular Error Probability (CEP). In comparison, the older MkI had a CEP of about 500 meters. Pinaka MkIII can be fired from existing Pinaka launchers, which helps reduce extra costs. Each launcher can carry 8 guided rockets, capable of devastating a 700×500 meter area in just 44 seconds. The pre-production units of the Pinaka MkIII rocket system have been developed by Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), a subsidiary of Solar Industries India Ltd. Very soon, both development and user trials of the system will begin. These trials will include: Rockets made by EEL and Munitions India Limited (MIL) will be launched from two advanced Pinaka launchers. Performance checks: These tests will assess important parameters like range, accuracy, stability, and rate of fire in salvo mode. Command-and-control system integration: The system will also be tested for how well it works with existing battle command systems under simulated combat conditions. These trials follow the successful tests of the Guided Pinaka held in November 2024, where it showed an impressive range of over 75 km and a precision of less than 10 meters. This track record is expected to fast-track the MkIII's official induction into the Indian Army. Strategic Importance of Pinaka MkIII The development of the Pinaka MkIII comes at a crucial time. Here's why it holds significant strategic value: China's PHL-03 (range: 70–130 km) and Pakistan's A-100 (range: up to 120 km) long-range rocket systems pushed India to enhance its own capabilities. In 2021, the Indian Army approved both 120 km and 300 km range variants of the Pinaka system to match and deter these threats. Pinaka MkIII's precision-guided navigation system makes it especially valuable in mountainous regions like Ladakh and Kargil, where it can target enemy bunkers and command posts with high accuracy despite difficult terrain. Thanks to its indigenous design and compatibility with existing launchers, Pinaka MkIII is logistically simple and economically efficient. It reduces dependency on foreign systems and cuts down the cost of maintenance and upgrades. DRDO is already working on next-generation Pinaka versions with ranges of 200 to 300 kilometers, which could eventually place the system in the category of short-range ballistic missiles. This future development would significantly boost India's deep-strike capabilities.
