Army receives 450 Nagastra-1R loitering munitions from Nagpur firm in largest single-batch delivery

NEW DELHI: The Indian Army has received a big consignment of 450 Nagastra 1R loitering munitions from Nagpur-based Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), which the company described as its “largest single-batch supply” of such systems to the force by a manufacturer.The Nagastra-1R is a man-portable ‘kamikaze or suicide’ drone, designed specifically for precision strikes in short-range operations. It is heavily indigenised, featuring over 80% locally sourced components, which makes it a highly cost-effective alternative to expensive imported systems. It carries around 1.5-kg high-explosive fragmentation warheads designed to target enemy assets, launchpads and unarmoured vehicles. The drone has operational endurance of up to 60 minutes. The guidance system is highly accurate, boasting a precision strike capability within a two-metre radius.The order was placed in June 2025 under the Army’s emergency procurement process after trials of the Nagastra-1R system. Before the procurement order, SDAL said four companies participated in the trials, but it was the only company able to demonstrate all the required operational parameters.According to SDAL, the system supports kamikaze-style attacks as well as mission abort and recovery options. SDAL said the system's performance was evaluated through multiple live trials, including assessments of target-hit accuracy.The company described the indigenously developed system as a cost-effective solution for the Army, citing the ongoing Iran-US-Israel conflict as part of the broader security context. It said the system offers this capability without compromising on accuracy or quality.A loitering muition or a kamikaze or suicide drone is an aerial weapon equipped with a built-in warhead. It is designed to loiter in a target area until a target is identified, at which point it attacks by crashing into the target.These munitions offer faster reaction times against concealed targets that appear briefly, without requiring high value assets to be near the target area. Additionally, they allow for more precise targeting, as the attack can be adjusted or aborted mid-flight.In July, SDAL chairman Satyanarayan Nuwal expressed confidence in the indigenous counter-drone system 'Bhargavastra', saying that the technology would pave the way for the development of the ambitious ‘Sudarshan Chakra’ air defence system by 2030.