Solar Group, through its subsidiary Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), is rapidly advancing India's capabilities in indigenous loitering munitions (LM). Building on the successful delivery of 480 units of the Nagastra-1, the company is now accelerating development of the Nagastra-2 and the next-generation Nagastra-3. These efforts underscore India's growing focus on developing advanced, self-reliant defence technologies.
The Nagastra-1 marked a significant milestone in India's defence manufacturing, providing the Indian Army with its first indigenously-developed loitering munition.
Now, EEL has finalized the design and development of the Nagastra-2, designed for enhanced portability and operational versatility. Weighing 20 kilograms, the Nagastra-2 is a two-man portable system equipped with a 4-kilogram anti-tank/anti-personnel warhead. The system features a portable pneumatic launcher, enabling easy deployment across diverse combat scenarios.
Key features of the Nagastra-2 include:
- Dual day/night sensor: Allows for effective target acquisition and engagement in various conditions.
- Parachute recovery mechanism: Enables safe retrieval and reuse, which is particularly valuable for training and cost-effective operations.
EEL has also commenced work on the Nagastra-3, a cutting-edge loitering munition system representing a significant technological leap. The Nagastra-3 is expected to be tube- or catapult-launched, increasing its deployment flexibility across different operational environments.
Notably, the Nagastra-3 is being developed as a prototype for the Medium Range Precision Kill System (MRPKS) under a Project Sanction Order from the Ministry of Defence (MoD). As one of the selected Development Agencies (DAs) for this initiative, EEL is poised to deliver a state-of-the-art system tailored to India's specific defence requirements.
The Nagastra series of loitering munitions is set to become a cornerstone of India's expanding arsenal of domestically produced precision strike capabilities. This not only strengthens India's defence self-reliance but also positions Solar Group as a key player in the global defence market.
