SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Following the spectacular battlefield performance of Indian-made loitering munitions such as Nagastra-1, developed by Solar Industries, during recent clashes with Pakistani forces, India’s private defence manufacturers are setting their sights on the global export market. With the systems proving their effectiveness in real-world combat scenarios, international interest in Indian-origin loitering munitions is expected to surge in the coming months.
Sources have told idrw.org that the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has directed several private sector manufacturers to ramp up their export outreach, aiming to capture at least 10% of the global loitering munition market. The MoD sees this as a key segment where Indian defence firms can emerge as strong players due to a combination of combat-proven systems, competitive pricing, and indigenous development free from Chinese components.
At the heart of this export push is the Nagastra-1, a man-portable loitering munition designed by Solar Industries in collaboration with economic partners under the Make-in-India initiative. Weighing just 30 kg, the system is divided into two rucksacks, including the ground control station, making it ideal for infantry deployment in mountainous and rugged terrains.
What makes Nagastra-1 particularly attractive is its ultra-low cost. According to idrw.org, the system is priced at approximately INR 1,50,000, or roughly USD 1,800, making it one of the most affordable loitering munition systems in the world. This price-performance ratio, combined with its proven reliability in operational conditions, positions Nagastra-1 as a compelling option for smaller militaries and special operations forces worldwide.
As more countries look to modernize their armed forces with precision strike capabilities, loitering munitions—often referred to as “kamikaze drones”—have emerged as game-changers on the battlefield. However, a growing number of nations are actively seeking non-Chinese alternatives due to geopolitical considerations, security concerns, and supply chain reliability.
Indian manufacturers are stepping in to fill this demand. A senior defence official told idrw.org that **multiple Indian firms have developed loitering munitions with no Chinese-origin components, a key selling point in many Western, Southeast Asian, and Middle Eastern markets. This has already led to exploratory discussions and product demonstrations with several countries.
India’s defence sector, particularly private firms, have been quick to innovate in the loitering munition space. In addition to Nagastra-1, a growing portfolio of systems is under development or production, ranging from short-range backpack-deployed drones to long-range autonomous systems capable of ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) and precision strikes.
Some of these systems include:
- Nagastra-2: A larger variant with enhanced range and payload
- ALFA-S and ALFA-R from NewSpace Research & Technologies, designed for swarm attacks
- SkyStriker, built under license by Adani Defence and Elbit Systems
- Veda Defence’s anti-radiation loitering drone, designed for SEAD missions
With the market maturing and conflict theatres across the globe shifting towards high-tech, low-cost asymmetric warfare, India’s loitering munition segment appears well-positioned for success.
The recent success of Indian loitering munitions in combat, particularly the Nagastra-1, has not only validated the capability of indigenous systems but has also provided a launchpad for Indian defence manufacturers in the global arms market. Backed by the Ministry of Defence’s push for exports and global interest in non-Chinese defence solutions, India is now gearing up to become a serious contender in the loitering munitions export arena, targeting 10% of the global market share.
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