The landscape of India's unmanned strike capabilities is advancing from basic short-range drones into a highly organised, multi-layered combat system. Leading this charge is Solar Industries.
Working through its branch, Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), the firm is boosting manufacturing and increasing the reach of its Nagastra loitering munitions to provide the Indian Armed Forces with formidable deep-strike abilities.
Reports indicate that the firm is actively working on the Nagastra-3, a new loitering munition expected to hit targets roughly 100 kilometres away.
Designed for use by brigades and divisions, this weapon aims to fill the space between standard frontline drones and long-distance guided weapons.
Moreover, Solar Industries is looking much further ahead. The company has begun preliminary research into advanced munitions that could reach distances of 500 to 700 kilometres.
Successfully creating these platforms would offer a more flexible and budget-friendly alternative to traditional cruise missiles.
The ultimate goal of these efforts is to establish a "layered drone architecture," ensuring that every level of the military has the right type of aerial weapon.
For ground squads, the currently deployed Nagastra-1—which features a low-noise electric motor, a 60-minute flight time, and a unique parachute recovery system for aborted missions—provides immediate, pinpoint strike capabilities up to 30 kilometres away.
A step up is the Nagastra-2, known as Vijayastra, which gives battalions the ability to engage targets up to 50 kilometres away.
The in-development Nagastra-3 will eventually allow larger military formations to destroy crucial enemy assets, like command posts and supply lines, well behind enemy lines.
Providing different drones for different units represents a significant change in military strategy.
Instead of depending entirely on large artillery or air force planes, troops at every tier now have their own immediate firepower.
This shift mirrors recent developments in warfare across the globe, where kamikaze drones are relied upon heavily to constantly watch the battlefield and swiftly eliminate threats in heavily defended areas.
To make this vision a reality, Solar Industries is heavily investing in state-of-the-art production plants.
On March 7, 2026, the company officially launched construction on a massive Robotics and UAV facility at the MIHAN Special Economic Zone in Nagpur.
According to public records, the company is injecting an impressive ₹12,800 crore into this initiative over the next several years.
While initial estimates pointed towards a modest output, the new plant is ultimately designed to produce up to 10,000 drones of various types and 1,000 robotic systems annually, marking a clear transition to mass production.
Ramping up production to these levels solves a major hurdle in drone warfare: having enough weapons on hand. Unlike standard missiles, kamikaze drones perform best when launched in large groups or swarms, which can easily overpower rival air defences.
A high manufacturing output guarantees that the armed forces will never run out of supplies, allowing them to rapidly replace used munitions and sustain lengthy combat operations.
Looking at the bigger picture, the push for drones that can travel 500 to 700 kilometres is a game-changer for national security.
These long-distance weapons would give India a far cheaper way to conduct highly accurate strikes deep inside hostile territory, compared to costly ballistic or cruise missiles.
When paired with modern artificial intelligence for targeting and strong protection against electronic jamming, these new platforms will drastically improve the country's ability to attack safely from afar.
The continuous growth of the Nagastra family highlights a wider trend within the Indian defence sector.
Private companies are stepping up to create locally made, easily adaptable weapons that meet the demands of modern warfare.
By combining impressive flight distances, massive manufacturing power, and advanced technology, Solar Industries is firmly establishing itself as a leader in India's automated combat revolution.
