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Pune-based private firm NIBE Limited has successfully completed test firings of its multi-calibre SURYASTRA Universal Rocket Launcher System.
The trials demonstrated the capability of newly developed guided rockets to hit targets at ranges of 150 kilometres and 300 kilometres, marking a major leap for India’s domestic defence manufacturing sector.
Taking place on May 18 and 19, 2026, the evaluations were held at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha.
These tests establish a crucial milestone for the private firm, cementing its emerging role as a key contributor to India’s long-range artillery and precision weapons ecosystem.
This recent firing demonstration follows a ₹293-crore purchase order awarded to NIBE Limited by the Indian Army in January 2026.
Processed under the military’s emergency procurement framework, the contract covers the delivery of the SURYASTRA launcher and its long-range rocket munitions, fast-tracking the system's induction to meet operational needs.
Open-source data reveals the system was developed under a July 2025 technology collaboration with Israel's Elbit Systems, drawing upon the advanced architecture of their Precise & Universal Launching System (PULS).
During the evaluations, the system showcased extraordinary accuracy for long-range strikes.
The company noted that the 150-kilometre variant recorded a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of just 1.5 metres, while the 300-kilometre rocket achieved a CEP of 2 metres.
These exceptionally tight impact margins highlight the integration of advanced navigation and terminal guidance suites, making SURYASTRA one of the most precise domestic rocket artillery platforms to date.
The SURYASTRA initiative is a key part of India’s strategy to build a robust, self-reliant defence ecosystem and reduce dependence on foreign long-range strike weapons.
It will serve alongside the Indian Army’s current indigenous assets, such as the Pinaka rocket system, bridging the gap between conventional artillery and heavy ballistic missiles.
The launcher's multi-calibre modular design allows it to fire various munitions, and reports indicate it is also capable of deploying loitering munitions (kamikaze drones) up to distances of 100 kilometres.
Introducing a 300-kilometre precision rocket provides the Indian Army with a critical tactical advantage.
It enables forces to execute deep strikes against vital enemy assets—including command posts, logistics bases, and radar facilities—without relying exclusively on air support or strategic ballistic missiles.
Furthermore, the system’s high-mobility wheeled chassis enables "shoot-and-scoot" tactics, boosting battlefield survivability against counter-attacks.
By shifting from unguided rockets to highly accurate guided munitions, SURYASTRA minimises ammunition waste and maximises combat efficiency.
Achieving near-pinpoint accuracy at such extended ranges confirms the presence of highly sophisticated fire control and targeting mechanisms.
The successful validation of this system underscores a shifting dynamic in India’s defence landscape.
Supported by the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, private enterprises like NIBE Limited are increasingly taking the lead in creating sophisticated military technologies, electronic warfare programs, and unmanned platforms that were once exclusively managed by state-run agencies.
