SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Noida-based defense startup Veda Aeronautics Private Limited (VAPL) has commenced delivery of its cutting-edge Sureshastra Mk1, a jet-powered, catapult-launched swarm drone, to the Indian Air Force (IAF), marking a significant milestone in India’s push for self-reliant defense technology.
Veda Aeronautics is fulfilling a ?300 crore contract awarded by the IAF in August 2023 for 200 units of the Smart Unmanned Munitions System (S-UMS), also known as Sureshastra Mk1. With specifications including a 3.5-meter length, 3-meter wingspan, 90 kg weight, and a range exceeding 150 km, the Sureshastra Mk1 is poised to enhance the IAF’s precision strike capabilities.
The Sureshastra Mk1, developed by Veda Aeronautics, is a jet-powered, fixed-wing swarm drone designed for long-range precision strikes and tactical operations. As India’s first indigenously developed swarm unmanned munitions system, it draws inspiration from global platforms like Iran’s Shahed-136 and Russia’s Geran-2, adapted to meet the IAF’s specific needs.
The Sureshastra Mk1’s jet propulsion, a rarity among Indian drones, enables high-speed, precise attacks, while its swarm capability allows coordinated strikes with multiple drones to overwhelm defenses. According to MilitaryLeak.com, the system is designed to “neutralize multiple targets simultaneously,” offering a tactical advantage in modern warfare.
In August 2023, the IAF awarded Veda Aeronautics a ?300 crore contract for 200 Sureshastra Mk1 units, marking the largest order placed with an Indian startup for unmanned systems. The contract, part of the IAF’s Mehar Baba Swarm Drone Competition, underscores India’s commitment to fostering indigenous innovation under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Dipesh Gupta, Managing Director of Veda Aeronautics, confirmed in a 2023 News9 interview that deliveries were imminent, with the company collaborating closely with the IAF to refine the system.
The Sureshastra Mk1 addresses a critical gap in the IAF’s arsenal: the ability to conduct precision strikes without risking manned aircraft. Inspired by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, where drones like the Shahed-136 have been deployed on a massive scale, the IAF recognized the need for low-cost, expendable systems to target fortified enemy positions. The drone’s 150 km range allows strikes deep into hostile territory, such as terrorist camps in Pakistan or Chinese positions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), without crossing borders.
Its swarm functionality, enabling coordinated attacks, is particularly effective against air defense systems, as multiple drones can saturate radar and missile defenses. The system’s potential for vehicle- and ship-launched variants, as noted by MilitaryLeak.com, further expands its versatility for the Indian Army and Navy.
Founded in 2020, Veda Aeronautics has rapidly emerged as a leader in India’s defense startup ecosystem. Based in South Delhi, the company specializes in unmanned systems and high-altitude pseudo-satellite (HAPS) solutions, as evidenced by its 2024 collaboration with UAE’s Mira Aerospace for the Indian Army’s HAPS program. The Sureshastra Mk1’s development reflects Veda’s ability to deliver cutting-edge technology under tight timelines, with the IAF contract awarded just three years after the company’s incorporation.
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