After Op Sindoor success, Nagpur's Solar bags Army orders for night-op ‘killer drones'
The company signed an agreement to supply 450 Nagastra-1R to the Army within one year. This new system is equipped with a thermal camera for night operations apart from a 360 degree gimbal camera. The system has proprietary encryption for video and telemetry communication along with a high-precision targeting system. More than 80% of its components are indigenous, said a note shared with TOI.
The system was tested at different locations, including Ladakh for cold weather trials, and Babina near Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh.
Loitering munitions are drone-based systems. The drones carry the bombs as payloads, which are dropped after zeroing in on the target. As it hovers around until the target is fixed, it gets the name loitering munitions.
The Nagastra-1R also has full re-usability of the launcher systems, said sources. SADL is also developing the Nagastra 2 and Nagastra 3 versions, which have a higher range and can carry a heavier payload.
The trials for the two versions are due soon, said sources involved in the project.
The order to SADL for the Nagastra 1R loitering munitions comes after it successfully conducted trials for its hybrid vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) — Rudrastra — over a week ago. Rudrastra can penetrate deeper into enemy territory and return to the launch point. It has a range of up to 50km and can take a payload of 8kg, with an estimated endurance time of 1.5 hours.
The trials were held at Pokhran range.
SADL, which is predominantly into making military-grade ammunition, has over the years developed drone-based munition systems. Last month, it also tested its anti-drone system, Bhargavastra, which can attack a swarm of drones with a salvo of 64 mini rockets. Both guided and non-guided versions of the system have been tested.
In March, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated an airstrip at SADL's manufacturing facility. The 1,250-metre-long airstrip will cater to its project of building a medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAV.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Operation Sindoor fallout: Chinese-made surveillance gear banned, aerial monitoring boosted for Independence Day
In the wake of Operation Sindoor, this year's Independence Day celebrations will feature enhanced aerial monitoring and a complete ban on the usage of 'Made In China' surveillance equipment in and around the Red Fort in the national capital. With Prime Minister Nadrendra Modi set to make his Independence Day address from the ramparts of Red Fort on August 15, the venue was taken over by the Ministry of Defence from July 15. This year, more guests are being invited to attended the Independence Day celebrations in comparison to previous years, sources said. Security agencies, intelligence agencies, and Defence Ministry officials who attended a recent high-level meeting regarding security at Red Fort held a detailed discussion on possible security breaches through unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Anti-drone systems 'Installation of anti-drone devices and radar systems near the Red Fort and possible threats were discussed in detail with defence forces. Ministry of Defence will be deploying anti-drone systems to stop any aerial breach and the Indian Air Force will be on high alert. Drones are among the key security concerns. We have also given clear instructions to the vendors installing CCTVs in and around the venue to not install any 'Made in China' equipment for surveillance purposes,' said an official. The Indian government has banned Chinese surveillance equipment, including CCTV cameras, citing potential data leakage risks. Another official said that aerial security is a major concern this Independence Day. Teams of experts have visited the Red Fort and surrounding areas to assess the minute details of all possible security threats. Another high-level meeting has been called on Friday to discuss the preparations for the event in detail, including the security aspect. Operation Sindoor was a drone-centric war, with Pakistan using loitering munitions and swarm drones. These attempts, however, were effectively neutralised by India's comprehensive and multilayered air defence architecture. Smart video surveillance Security agencies said that they will be installing intelligent video surveillance systems, including features such as a vehicle number plate recognition system, face detection, people movement counting, tripwires, audio detection, defocus, and spotting intrusions and abandoned or missing objects. The advanced facial recognition system facility on live cameras as well as on recorded videos will help to detect any matches with faces on the government's watch list database and provide alerts to the control room.
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
'Growth, Prosperity, Security': Modi, Starmer Unveil 'India-UK Vision 2035' Road Map
Last Updated: The 'India-UK Vision 2035' builds on the FTA between the two countries to unlock new opportunities that strengthen defence cooperation and drive innovation between both economies A new 'India-UK Vision 2035' road map was unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his British counterpart Keir Starmer on Thursday to set 'clear goals and milestones" across a range of areas such as defence, technology and energy. Reaffirming their shared commitment to unlocking the full potential of a revitalised partnership through the free trade agreement (FTA), Modi and Starmer endorsed 'Vision 2035' during their bilateral meeting in London. The 'India-UK Vision 2035' builds on the free trade agreement (FTA) inked between the two countries to unlock new opportunities that strengthen defence cooperation and drive innovation between both economies. Earlier, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the UK is 'thrilled" to receive Modi. 'UK-India Vision 2035 is an ambitious, future-focused agreement between our leaders to deliver growth, prosperity, and security for people in both countries," he said. 'This week we are excited to be agreeing the UK-India Vision 2035, a new agreement that sets ambitious goals for both the UK and India to achieve and marks a step-change in our relationship for the decade ahead." It accelerates joint efforts to tackle climate change along with nurturing the next generation of global talent through education and skills partnership. It introduces new areas of cooperation such as advanced technologies, critical minerals, and green finance while establishing more robust mechanisms for delivery in areas where both countries already work together. WHAT ARE THE GOALS? WHAT ARE THE EXPECTED OUTCOMES? Growth and jobs in the UK and India, building on an ambitious trade deal that unlocks markets and opportunities for both countries. An education and skills partnership to nurture the next generation of global talent, deepening transnational education collaborations between UK and Indian universities, including the establishment of campuses of leading universities in each other's countries. Develop cutting-edge technology and research, building on the Technology Security Initiative, focused on future telecoms, AI and critical minerals, laying the ground for future collaboration on semi-conductors, quantum, bio-technology and advanced materials. A transformative climate partnership focused on accelerating clean energy, mobilising climate finance at scale, and strengthening resilience. Defence and security cooperation, including a common commitment to peace, security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and beyond. The 'India-UK Vision 2035' will witness high-level political engagement, with regular meetings of the two Prime Ministers to provide strategic direction and oversight. Implementation will be reviewed annually by the external affairs minister and UK foreign secretary, so as to address issues across sectors including technology, trade, investment and financial sector cooperation. India and the UK have reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based international order and to strengthening multilateralism through reform. Both sides will work together to promote reform of the United Nations, including the Security Council, and multilateral institutions such as the Commonwealth, WTO, WHO, IMF, and the World Bank. People-to-people links underpin every facet of the UK-India relationship. Both countries will enhance cooperation on education and cultural exchange, and consular matters to better serve the needs of their citizens and diaspora communities. India and the UK are committed to deepening and diversifying bilateral cooperation under the different pillars of 'Vision 2035', and preparing the two countries for a BRISK partnership for the future – based on Business, Research, Innovation, Science and technology, and Knowledge. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Keir Starmer Narendra Modi view comments Location : London, United Kingdom (UK) First Published: July 24, 2025, 20:12 IST News india 'Growth, Prosperity, Security': Modi, Starmer Unveil 'India-UK Vision 2035' Road Map Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Scroll.in
4 hours ago
- Scroll.in
Rush Hour: India and UK sign free trade deal, SC stays 2006 Mumbai blasts acquittal order and more
We're building a brand-new studio to bring you bold ground reports, sharp interviews, hard-hitting podcasts, explainers and more. Support Scroll's studio fund today. India and the United Kingdom has signed a Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement. The free trade agreement will benefit Indian farmers, the micro, small and medium enterprises sector, footwear and jewellery exports, as well as the seafood and engineering goods sectors, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that the trade deal would help British workers in cutting-edge manufacturing, and would also benefit whiskey distillers across Scotland and the service sector in London, Manchester and Leeds. The free trade agreement was signed by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his British counterpart Jonanthan Reynolds during Modi's visit to the UK. New Delhi and Britain had announced the agreement in May after more than three years and 14 rounds of negotiations. Read on. The Supreme Court has stayed a Bombay High Court order acquitting 12 persons accused in the 2006 Mumbai train blasts case. However, it said that those who were released following the verdict will not have to go back to jail while the matter is being heard. The case pertains to the seven bomb blasts in suburban trains on Mumbai's Western Railway line on July 11, 2006, killing 189 persons and injuring 824. Following a trial under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, a special court had in October 2015 convicted the 12 persons. However, on Monday, the High Court acquitted all of them holding that the prosecution had 'utterly failed' in establishing their guilt. Five of the accused persons had been sentenced to death. The Maharashtra government challenged the acquittal on Tuesday. . The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a contempt petition against Assam's chief secretary and Goalpara district authorities for alleged violations of its earlier guidelines during eviction and demolition drives that took place last month. The bench sought the responses of the officials within two weeks. The contempt plea was filed by eight residents of Hasilabeel village in Goalpara who claimed that that authorities issued eviction notices to the resident of the area just two days before razing their homes last month. The petition relied on a Supreme Court judgement from November that held as illegal the practice of demolishing properties of persons accused of crimes as a punitive measure. It added that processes must be followed before removing allegedly illegal encroachments. Between 2016 and August 2024, more than 10,620 families – the majority of them Muslim – have been evicted from government land, according to data provided by the state revenue and disaster management department. Read on. The Enforcement Directorate conducted raids at over 35 premises and searched 50 companies and 25 persons as part of its money-laundering investigation linked to industrialist Anil Ambani's Reliance Group companies. The investigation is based on two cases filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation in September 2022. The first information reports pertained to two separate loans given by the crisis-hit Yes Bank to Reliance Home Finance Limited and Reliance Commercial Finance Limited. It has been alleged that loans of around Rs 3,000 crore received by the companies from the bank between 2017 and 2019 were illegally diverted This comes days after the Union government told Parliament that the State Bank of India had classified Reliance Communications and Ambani, its promoter-director, as 'fraud'.
