Rudrastra UAV passes key army trial at Pokharan with precision strike and 170-km range

Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) successfully completed a critical trial of its indigenously developed Hybrid VTOL UAV Rudrastra at the Pokharan Firing Range on June 11, 2025, reported ANI on Thursday.

The test marked a major step forward in India’s efforts to strengthen homegrown military technology under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Designed for mission versatility, Rudrastra showcased its key features, including vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), extended flight range, real-time surveillance, and accurate target engagement, noted the news agency.



During the trial, the UAV also successfully maintained a stable video link while covering a mission radius of over 50 km, before returning to its original launch point. The total range—including loitering over the target—exceeded 170 km, with an estimated endurance of 1.5 hours.

According to ANI, one of the standout moments of the trial was the mid-altitude release of a precision-guided anti-personnel warhead. Moreover, the munition executed a low-height airburst detonation with lethal effect over a wide area.