New Nagastra-3 Loitering Munition with 5-Hour Endurance Unveiled, Promises Long-Range Precision Strike Potential with 100km Range

Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited has revealed the prototype of its latest indigenous weapon system, the Nagastra-3 loitering munition. This advanced system represents a notable advancement in India's domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.

Developed under a Project Sanction Order from the Ministry of Defence, the Nagastra-3 falls under the Make-I category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, which supports local design and development.

Boasting a target range of 100 kilometers and the ability to stay airborne for over five hours, the Nagastra-3 significantly improves upon earlier versions and supports India's goal of self-reliance in defence technology.

Currently under development, the Nagastra-3 is designed to be part of the Medium Range Precision Kill System (MRPKS). The goal of the MRPKS initiative is to equip the Indian armed forces with the ability to accurately strike targets from long distances.

Loitering munitions, sometimes referred to as "suicide drones," like the Nagastra-3, merge the reconnaissance abilities of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with the attack capabilities of guided missiles.

These systems are designed to wait ('loiter') over a designated area, identify targets, and then perform a precision strike, making them particularly effective against valuable or moving targets in potentially hostile areas.

The Nagastra-3's impressive 100-kilometer range allows it to penetrate deep into adversary territory, exceeding the reach of its predecessors, the Nagastra-1 and Nagastra-2.

Its extended endurance of more than five hours provides ample time for surveillance and target acquisition before an attack is ordered, enhancing operational flexibility and reducing risk to ground troops.

Furthermore, the system can be launched using either a tube or a catapult, adding to its adaptability for different combat situations, including targeting personnel or important enemy structures.

The development of Nagastra-3 through the Make-I route highlights India's commitment to the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India) policy in the defence sector. This category specifically encourages Indian companies to undertake research, design, and development of complex defence systems, often with government financial support.

Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited, a subsidiary of Solar Industries, is playing a crucial role in this effort. The Nagastra series follows the successful introduction of the Nagastra-1 into the Indian Army in 2024, which reportedly achieved over 75% indigenous content, and the development of the Nagastra-2, known for its improved portability and different warhead options.

The Nagastra-3 aims to further enhance these capabilities for India's defence forces.

 

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[abhinav srivastava]

Good. Design it so that automated loaders can launch these on the launchers and many them can be launched in quick succession. Against China we will need Nagastra 10, 15 etc.

 

[Vishal Trivedi]

Finally, this is good development. To all those who do not know, Solar Industries actually invested in R&D and hired a Swedish scientist back in 2010 at 22 lakh/month salary, which is the industry's highest, to establish a grip on this. Hundreds of upcoming engineers are getting excellent know-how in his team.

 

[Kevin]

Good to hear about the range. But I wonder if they reduced the weight of the UAV? The previous versions were on the heavy side compared with Warmate from Poland.

 

[Aravind Raveendran]

This is great news, Solar Industries is showing how to get things done, by investing in R&D and working diligently towards their goal. Congratulations to them and hope our patriotic guys having deep pockets take notice of this development.

 

[Mc Addy]

Dynamites to Drones , all in Nagpur is great .

 

[Sandeep]

This is great news but they should develop a drone that doesn’t need a manual launcher on a truck. This reduces the area the truck can travel to and especially in border regions.

It would be better if the drone can take off vertically and can fly to the target using its current technology, propulsion and engine to fly within a 100km and destroy key targets.

 

[Pankaj]

Great achievement. The continuous and comprehensive upgradation of the Nagastra Project is the need of the hour. The 100 km range is quite competitive in modern warfare. Now it's time to work on speed and lethality of the kamikaze drone.