Pune-based defence manufacturer Nibe Limited has announced that its domestically developed Vayu Astra-1 loitering munition can be fired directly from the Suryastra long-range rocket system.
This integration effectively turns the artillery platform into a dual-purpose deep-strike weapon, giving commanders the option to use either traditional guided rockets or kamikaze drones from a single vehicle.
This announcement follows the successful completion of technical trials for the Vayu Astra-1 in April 2026.
Conducted for the Indian Army on a no-cost, no-commitment basis, the demonstrations took place in two diverse environments: the desert terrain of Pokhran, Rajasthan, and the mountainous high-altitude region of Joshimath, Uttarakhand.
Reports indicate that during these tests, the drone carried a 10 kg warhead and showcased a highly accurate Circular Error Probable (CEP) of under one metre at a 100-kilometre distance, along with night-strike capabilities and high-altitude endurance of over 90 minutes above 14,000 feet.
Nibe representatives state that the Vayu Astra-1 can hit targets up to 100 kilometres away. It is specifically engineered for pinpoint strikes on crucial enemy infrastructure, such as radar installations, mobile air defence units, command centres, and artillery positions.
Notably, the system features a recoverable architecture, allowing the drone to be retrieved and reused during training exercises or aborted missions.
By adding loitering munitions to the Suryastra launcher, the system's battlefield flexibility is vastly improved.
Instead of relying entirely on standard ballistic rocket flight paths, the platform can deploy smart, autonomous drones that can actively search for, identify, and destroy targets deep behind enemy lines based on live battlefield data.
The Suryastra is recognised as India’s first locally manufactured universal multi-calibre rocket launcher. Nibe Limited developed the system in partnership with Israel’s Elbit Systems, basing it on the highly regarded Precise and Universal Launching System (PULS).
To rapidly boost its artillery power, the Indian Army recently advanced a ₹293-crore emergency procurement contract for the immediate induction of this system.
Following successful field tests at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh officially introduced the Suryastra system in May 2026.
The military views this platform as a vital next-generation asset for long-range precision strikes against strategic targets.
A major advantage of the Suryastra is its highly adaptable, modular design.
It utilises interchangeable pods, meaning the single launch vehicle can accommodate various rocket sizes—such as 122 mm, 160 mm, and 306 mm munitions, as well as tactical missiles—without needing any physical structural alterations. This dramatically simplifies logistics and enhances front-line adaptability.
Built to hit targets at ranges of 150 kilometres and 300 kilometres, the launcher enables the Indian Army to strike deep into hostile zones.
It relies on a blend of inertial and GPS navigation to deliver highly accurate hits, reportedly maintaining an error margin of under three to five metres.
Loitering munitions add a critical layer to modern combat.
Unlike standard rockets, these kamikaze drones can circle a designated area, hunt for targets, and strike dynamically as the situation evolves—a tactic that has proven highly effective in recent global conflicts like Ukraine.
Nibe notes that this capability is similar to Elbit’s SkyStriker, allowing front-line commanders to seamlessly switch between massive area-saturation rocket barrages and precise drone strikes from one unit.
To ensure survivability and rapid movement, the Suryastra is mounted on a rugged BEML Tatra 6x6 high-mobility truck.
This allows the system to operate effectively across harsh landscapes, including mountains, border regions, and deserts, while employing rapid "shoot-and-scoot" tactics to avoid counter-battery fire from enemy forces.
