Latest news with #Rudrastra
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Time of India
After Op Sindoor success, Nagpur's Solar bags Army orders for night-op ‘killer drones'
Nagpur: After Nagastra 1 — the loitering munition that was used during Operation Sindoor — Nagpur's Solar Aerospace and Defence Limited (SADL) has bagged an order for the advanced version of the system, Nagastra-1R, that's capable of night operations too. 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.
India Gazette
23-06-2025
- India Gazette
Indian Army places order of 450 NAGASTRA-1R loitering munitions from SDAL
New Delhi [India], June 23 (ANI): The Indian Army has placed an order on Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) for procuring around 450 NAGASTRA-1R loitering munitions, as per the statement by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited. The Nagastra-1R is a cost effective system with full re-usability of launcher systems. The advanced Loitering Munition System with 360 gimbal camera with the option of putting thermal camera option for night operations, the statement further read. The systems has a proprietary encryption for both video and Telemetry communication and comes with high precision targeting system with 2 metres CEP and has more than 80% indegenous content. The systems have been tested at various locations, including Ladakh and Babina near Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh, the statement added. Earlier on June 12, the Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) successfully completed the trial of its Hybrid VTOL UAV Rudrastra at the Pokharan Firing Range. The trial was conducted in accordance with the Indian Army's performance parameters, including vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), high endurance, precision targeting, and mission flexibility. The UAV demonstrated robust operational capability, covering a mission radius of over 50 km with a stable real-time video link and successfully returning to the original launch point. The total range, including loitering at the target area, exceeded 170 km, with an estimated endurance of approximately 1.5 hours. A significant highlight of the trial was the successful deployment of a precision-guided anti-personnel warhead. Dropped from medium altitude, the munition executed an airburst detonation at low height, achieving a lethal effect over a wide radius, meeting tactical effectiveness benchmarks. This successful demonstration marks a major milestone in India's pursuit of indigenized defence technologies and is a strong step toward Aatmanirbhar Bharat. In a related development, SDAL had earlier tested a new low-cost counter-drone solution in hard-kill mode, named 'Bhargavastra'. Designed to neutralise hostile drone swarms, the system employs micro-rockets to deliver rapid and effective responses. The trials were conducted at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur on May 13 and 14 under the observation of senior Army Air Defence (AAD) officials. (ANI)
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Time of India
Army drone deal: India orders 450 Nagastra-1R units; SDAL touts reusable, precision strike edge
Indian Army places order of 450 NAGASTRA-1R loitering munitions from SDAL (Image credits: ANI) The Indian Army placed an order with solar defence and aerospace limited, SDAL, for approximately 450 units of its NAGASTRA-1R loitering munitions, the company said in a statement. The system is designed to be cost-effective and reusable, with launchers that can be deployed multiple times. The NAGASTRA-1R is equipped with a 360-degree gimbal camera and can optionally include a thermal camera for night-time missions. It features proprietary encryption for both video and telemetry communications and offers high-precision targeting with a circular error probability (CEP) of just 2 metres. The system boasts over 80% indigenous content and has undergone successful field trials in locations such as Ladakh and Babina near Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. In a separate development, SDAL recently completed trials of its hybrid vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) UAV, Rudrastra, at the Pokharan Firing Range. Conducted according to Indian Army performance parameters, the UAV demonstrated strong operational capabilities, including vertical takeoff and landing, long endurance, and mission flexibility. The Rudrastra UAV achieved a mission radius of over 50 km with a stable real-time video link and returned to its launch point after covering a total range of more than 170 km. It also successfully deployed a precision-guided anti-personnel warhead, which detonated mid-air at low altitude to achieve lethal effect over a wide area. Earlier, on May 13 and 14, SDAL tested a low-cost hard-kill counter-drone system named 'Bhargavastra' at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur. Designed to tackle drone swarms, the system uses micro-rockets for rapid neutralisation. Trials were conducted under the supervision of senior Army Air Defence (AAD) officials. Similar systems have been extensively used in recent conflicts, particularly in the Ukraine-Russia war and the Armenia-Azerbaijan skirmishes. The Indian armed forces had previously acquired similar systems from foreign vendors at a significantly higher cost. The Nagastra 1 has an indigenous content of over 75%, reducing dependence on foreign sources. Developed entirely in India by Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), the Nagastra 1 drones can perform GPS-enabled precision strikes with an accuracy of 2 meters and have a range of nearly 30 the scale of production and the resulting cost reduction, there is a strong potential for exporting the munition to friendly foreign nations seeking similar solutions. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
21-06-2025
- Time of India
VTOL Rudrastra Drone: Takes off like a copter, strikes like a jet - The Economic Times Video
The Indian Army has successfully tested Rudrastra, a fully indigenous VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) drone designed for precision strikes deep inside enemy territory. Developed by Solar Aerospace and Defence Limited, Rudrastra can take off like a helicopter, fly like a jet, and hit targets more than 50 kilometers its Pokhran trials, Rudrastra flew over 170 km, remained airborne for 90 minutes, dropped an airburst munition, and returned safely, all without any human intervention. The drone's smart warhead and autonomous targeting system make it ideal for striking camps, artillery units, and terror hideouts across the border. Show more Show less
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Time of India
What is Rudrastra? India's deadly VTOL drone that can loiter, lock, and eliminate from 50 km away
India's Rudrastra, a homegrown VTOL drone, has been successfully tested by the Indian Army, marking a significant advancement in battlefield technology. Developed by Solar Aerospace and Defence Limited, this drone can perform precision strikes across borders without endangering soldiers. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads What is Rudrastra? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why is it special? What can Rudrastra do? What's next? Imagine a drone that lifts off vertically like a helicopter, flies long distances like a jet, locks onto enemy positions deep across the border, and then returns home, all on its own. That's Rudrastra , India's latest homegrown battlefield tech marvel, successfully tested by the Indian Army With the battlefield becoming smarter and deadlier, Rudrastra marks a turning point in how India plans to strike enemies from a safe distance, no boots on the ground, just precision from the Indian Army has successfully tested Rudrastra, a fully indigenous drone with vertical takeoff and landing ( VTOL ) capability, designed to carry out precision strikes across the border without risking soldiers' is a hybrid VTOL drone developed by Solar Aerospace and Defence Limited (SDAL). It can not only take off like a helicopter but also cruise like an aircraft, making it versatile and hard to spot. The drone is equipped with smart warheads meant for anti-personnel roles, meaning it can target enemy soldiers and positions with high drone can hit targets more than 50 km away. In tests at the Pokhran range, it demonstrated a full range of 170 km and stayed in the air for nearly 90 minutes, relaying real-time video and returning on its own. It even dropped an airburst munition that exploded low to the ground, damaging a wide area, perfect for enemy camps or meant for deep strikes, think enemy artillery guns or terrorist hideouts well inside hostile territory. The drone can quietly sneak in, strike, and return, all without risking lives. It gives the Army a powerful 'stand-off weapon' that works from a safe Army is now planning to buy these drones in large numbers. Indigenous drone makers have been asked to show off their tech as India moves to build a drone force fit for future wars. With threats constantly evolving, unmanned systems like Rudrastra could become a frontline weapon in both defence and counterterror from ET Bureau
