First Made-in-India 'Nagastra-1' Suicide Drones Delivered to Army: Key Features

The first locally made loitering munition, known as Nagastra-1, was given to the Indian Army by Solar Industries, a Nagpur-based company. The Indian Army has used its Emergency Procurement Powers to make an order with Solar Industries' Economics Explosives Ltd (EEL) for the procurement of 480 Loiter Munitions.

The insider sources of a prominent news agency talked with the defense authorities. Here, they revealed, “After the pre-delivery inspections were completed, EEL delivered 120 Loiter Munitions to an Army Ammunition Depot.”

An overview of Nagastra-1 has been encompassed here:

• An Indian-based product like an airborne ambush, Nagastra is a UAV-based system. In contrast to other weapons, Nagastra is capable of being safely retrieved and can stop an attack if needed. Its USP is its loitering munition that makes it capable of lingering over the target.

• In the face of any hostile danger within the range of 2 meters, it can accurately use a GPS-enabled precision strike.

• The remotely operated weapon is hidden from radar by being installed on a UAV that can go over 4,500 meters. The Nagastra may hover in the air and launch an attack when the target, such as a caravan with a terrorist commander inside that is scheduled to arrive at a certain place at a certain time, is detected. Also, what is worth noting is that in its kamikaze mode, it can destroy the target along with itself.

• With a range of 15 kilometers for man-in-the-loop and 30 kilometers for autonomous mode, the fixed-wing electric UAV can last for 60 minutes.

• Apart from having surveillance cameras for both day and night, the Loiter Munition has a warhead that can destroy targets with sensitive skin.

• This Loiter Munition is better than similar systems created by wealthy nations since it has the ability to recover, reuse, and abort. It can be called back and use a parachute to make a gentle landing if the target is not found or the operation is terminated.

• The first weapon of its class to be made entirely of native materials, the Nagastra-l can hover in midair and strike its target as soon as it approaches.

Though there is more room for the Indian defense system to grow and expand its competence, this recent launch is indeed a remarkable step towards proving its potential in terms of defense services. Undeniably, India is proving as well as improving its defense innovations and creating marvels in the field.