The Indian Army is poised to enhance its self-reliance in defense technology with the induction of Nagastra-1, the first indigenous loiter munition. Developed by Solar Industries in Nagpur, this man-portable fixed-wing electric UAV marks a significant achievement in India's defense capabilities. The Army has placed an order for 480 units from Economics Explosives Ltd (EEL), a subsidiary of Solar Industries, and the first batch of 120 units has already been delivered to the ammunition depot at Pulgaon.
### Key Features of Nagastra-1:
1. **Weight and Portability**:
  - Total system weight: 30 kg.
  - Distributed across two rucksacks, including ground control station, communication control, payload, and pneumatic launcher.
2. **Operational Capabilities**:
  - **Endurance**: 30 minutes.
  - **Range**:Â
   - 15 km with man-in-loop control.
   - Up to 30 km in autonomous mode.
  - **Precision**: GPS-enabled strikes with an accuracy of up to two meters.
3. **Design and Performance**:
  - **Weight**: 9 kg.
  - **Propulsion**: Electric, providing a low acoustic signature, making it nearly undetectable at altitudes over 200 meters.
  - **Payload**: 1 kg high-explosive fragmenting warhead, effective against soft-skin targets.
  - **Surveillance**: Equipped with day and night cameras.
4. **Unique Features**:
  - **Kamikaze Mode**: Neutralizes targets with precision strikes.
  - **Recovery and Reuse**: Parachute recovery mechanism allows for abort, recover, and reuse capabilities.
### Indigenous Content and Collaboration:
Nagastra-1 is designed with over 75 percent indigenous content, in collaboration with Z-Motion Autonomous Systems Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru. This collaborative effort emphasizes India's push towards self-reliance in defense technology.
### Strategic Importance:
The induction of Nagastra-1 underscores the increasing importance of drone technology as a force multiplier in military operations. The success of this project highlights the potential of UAVs in modern warfare, as demonstrated in various global conflicts involving countries like Armenia, Azerbaijan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and Ukraine. Given the rise in drone-related incidents along India's northern borders, the deployment of Nagastra-1 is timely and crucial for national security.
### Future Prospects:
The successful development and induction of Nagastra-1 are just the beginning for Solar Industries, which aims to advance India's capabilities in weaponized drones. This progress represents a significant step towards bolstering India's indigenous defense technology and reducing dependency on foreign systems.
In summary, Nagastra-1 exemplifies India's commitment to achieving self-reliance in defense technology, leveraging advanced UAV systems to enhance national security and military effectiveness.
