SOURCE: AFI
Solar Group, through its subsidiary Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), is rapidly advancing India’s capabilities in indigenous loitering munitions (LM). After successfully delivering 480 units of the Nagastra-1, the company is now accelerating its work on the Nagastra-2 and the next-generation Nagastra-3. These efforts signify India’s growing emphasis on developing advanced, self-reliant defense technologies.
The Nagastra-1, a significant milestone in India’s defense manufacturing, has already been fielded. Building on this success, EEL has finalized the design and development of the Nagastra-2, a loitering munition designed for enhanced portability and operational versatility. Weighing 20 kilograms, the Nagastra-2 is a two-man portable system equipped with a 4-kilogram anti-tank/anti-personnel warhead. The system features a portable pneumatic launcher, making it easy to deploy in diverse combat scenarios.
One of the standout features of the Nagastra-2 is its dual day/night sensor, enabling effective target acquisition and engagement under various conditions. Additionally, it incorporates a parachute recovery mechanism, allowing for safe retrieval and reuse, which is particularly advantageous in training and low-cost operations. This design highlights a balance between lethality, portability, and sustainability.
EEL has also begun work on the Nagastra-3, a cutting-edge loitering munition system that represents the next leap in technology. The Nagastra-3 is expected to be tube- or catapult-launched, enhancing its deployment versatility across different operational environments. Notably, the Nagastra-3 is being developed as a prototype for the Medium Range Precision Kill System (MRPKS), under a Project Sanction Order from the Ministry of Defence (MoD). As one of the selected Development Agencies (DAs) for this initiative, EEL is poised to deliver a state-of-the-art system tailored to India’s defense requirements.
As these systems progress from development to deployment, the Nagastra series is set to become a cornerstone in India’s growing inventory of homegrown precision strike capabilities. This not only boosts India’s defense self-reliance but also positions Solar Group as a significant contributor to the global defense market.