SOURCE: AFI
In a significant milestone for India’s indigenous defense manufacturing, Satyanarayan Nuwal, Chairman of Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (a subsidiary of Solar Industries), has confirmed the successful completion of an order for 480 Nagastra-1 man-portable suicide drones for the Indian Army.
The delivery, finalized in 2025, follows the handover of the first batch of 120 units last year, marking a pivotal achievement for the company and reinforcing its growing stature in India’s defense sector. The Nagastra-1, a lightweight and precise loitering munition, is designed to neutralize hostile threats with lethal accuracy, showcasing India’s strides toward self-reliance under the “Make in India” initiative.
The journey to fulfilling the 480-unit order began in 2024, when Solar Defence, in collaboration with its manufacturing partner Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), delivered the initial batch of 120 Nagastra-1 drones. This followed a successful Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) conducted by the Indian Army from May 20-25, 2024, at Solar’s facilities. The first batch was subsequently dispatched to the ammunition depot at Pulgaon, Maharashtra, setting the stage for the phased delivery of the remaining units. The completion of the full order in 2025 underscores Solar Defence’s ability to meet stringent military timelines and quality standards, cementing its reputation as a reliable supplier.
The Nagastra-1 is a man-portable, fixed-wing electric UAV engineered for “kamikaze mode” operations—self-destructing upon impact to eliminate targets with pinpoint accuracy. Weighing just 9 kilograms, this loitering munition boasts GPS-enabled precision strikes with an accuracy of up to two meters, making it ideal for neutralizing high-value threats such as enemy personnel, light vehicles, or command posts. Its electric propulsion system provides a low acoustic signature, rendering it nearly undetectable at altitudes above 200 meters, a critical advantage in stealth operations.
The drone offers versatile operational capabilities: a 15-kilometer range with man-in-the-loop control, allowing real-time operator input, and an extended 30-kilometer range in fully autonomous mode. With an endurance of 30 minutes, the Nagastra-1 can loiter over a target area, identify threats, and strike with devastating effect. Its compact design and ease of deployment make it a game-changer for infantry units, enhancing their tactical flexibility on the battlefield.
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