Army gets largest batch of indigenous loitering munitions

NEW DELHI: The Army has received its single largest batch of indigenous loitering munitions, with 450 systems delivered on Tuesday. The munitions were ordered by the Army last year under emergency procurement powers granted by the defence ministry to acquire urgently required equipment.

The indigenous munitions, capable of carrying out kamikaze-style attacks across the border, have been supplied by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited, which emerged as the sole technical winner after trials last year.

The Nagastra-1R has been procured by the Army for short-range operations and is seen as a low-cost platform that can be used in large numbers during a conflict. In the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, the armed forces have been focusing on low-cost, indigenous platforms that can be produced quickly for mass deployment.


As reported by ET, the Army placed a range of orders with Indian companies last year for drones, counter-drone systems and loitering munitions to boost operational preparedness.

The ministry had granted powers to the forces to quickly identify and procure cutting-edge systems developed by the industry, besides replenishing ammunition stocks and weaponry.

The order for the Nagastra-1R, designed to target enemy positions and infiltrators at shallow depths along the Line of Control, was valued at over ?158 crore.