Shortly after testing its long-range Suryastra rocket launcher, Pune-headquartered technology firm Nibe Limited has achieved another breakthrough.
On Thursday, the company declared the successful first technical trials of its Vayu Astra-1 loitering munition.
This development marks a major step forward for India's self-reliance in precision-guided weapon technology and domestic manufacturing.
These tests were executed in response to a Request for Proposal (RFP) from the Indian Army, which is seeking a reliable loitering munition system capable of a 100-kilometre strike range.
To ensure the hardware performs effectively across diverse environments, comprehensive evaluations took place at the Pokhran firing range in Rajasthan and the high-altitude terrain of Joshimath (Malari) in Uttarakhand.
During the Rajasthan phase of the testing, the Vayu Astra-1 clearly demonstrated its anti-personnel capabilities.
Equipped with a 10-kilogram explosive warhead, the munition successfully struck a designated target situated 100 kilometres away on its very first try.
The system showcased remarkable accuracy, registering a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of under one metre.
In a formal statement to the stock exchanges—which saw the company's shares hit a 20 percent upper circuit following the news—Nibe Limited confirmed that the trials also proved several critical smart functions.
These included the system's ability to seamlessly abort a mission, initiate an attack, and execute re-attack manoeuvres, which are vital features for modern intelligent warfare platforms.
The firm also carried out a night-time anti-armour strike to test the weapon's infrared (IR) camera guidance capabilities. The munition hit its mark on the first attempt with an accuracy margin of just two metres.
Furthermore, operators successfully handed over control of the drone from a Ground Control Station to a Forward Control Station located roughly 70 kilometres away. This specific feature is designed to increase tactical flexibility and protect troops on the battlefield.
To assess performance in extreme mountain conditions similar to those along India's northern borders, the system was taken to Uttarakhand.
Operating at elevations exceeding 14,000 feet, the Vayu Astra-1 achieved a continuous flight endurance of more than 90 minutes in the thin air, proving its reliability in difficult, high-altitude climates.
Following the completion of these flight tests, the drone was safely recovered rather than destroyed. This reusable feature is highly advantageous, as it can significantly lower operational costs and enhance the long-term sustainability of military training and field missions.
Loitering munitions, frequently referred to as "kamikaze" or "suicide" drones, have become a cornerstone of contemporary military strategy.
They offer the unique tactical advantage of flying over a contested area for extended periods, independently identifying threats, and then destroying them with pinpoint accuracy.
Military analysts view the success of the Vayu Astra-1 as clear evidence of India's rapidly expanding domestic capacity to produce autonomous strike platforms.
As unmanned aerial systems and guided munitions increasingly dominate global conflicts, developing these assets locally is crucial for national security.
This drone milestone closely follows Nibe Limited's recent triumphs with its Suryastra Universal Rocket Launcher.
Just days prior, on May 18 and 19, the company test-fired 150-kilometre and 300-kilometre variants of domestically produced rockets at the Integrated Test Range in Odisha.
The Suryastra system, backed by a ₹293 crore emergency procurement contract from the Indian Army signed earlier this year, further cements the private sector's expanding role in the nation's defence manufacturing landscape.
