EEL's Nagastra-1 'Kamikaze Drone' A Lethal Loitering Munition For The Indian Army
The Nagastra-1 is a cutting-edge loitering munition (LM) developed by Economic
Explosives Ltd (EEL), a subsidiary of Solar Industries, based in Nagpur,
India. This innovative system represents a significant advancement in India's
defence capabilities, particularly in the realm of unmanned aerial vehicles
(UAVs).
A loitering munition is an aerial weapon with a built-in warhead that hovers
around a target area until it locates a target and then crashes into it. They
are also known as suicide drones, kamikaze drones, or exploding drones.
The Indian Army has recently inducted the Nagastra-1, marking a significant
advancement in India's defence capabilities and its commitment to
self-reliance in military technology. This loitering munition, developed by
Solar Industries in Nagpur, represents the first indigenous suicide drone for
the Indian military.
Nagastra-1 is designed with over 75% indigenous content, showcasing India's
commitment to self-reliance in defence technology. It was developed in
collaboration with Z-Motion Autonomous Systems.
Specifications
Weight: Approximately 9 kg for the munition itself, with a total
operational weight of 30 kg when including the ground control station and
other components.
Payload: Capable of carrying a 1 kg high explosive fragmenting warhead,
effective against soft-skinned targets.
Range and Endurance: It has a maximum strike range of 15 km with
man-in-loop control and can autonomously operate up to 30 km. The munition can
loiter for up to 60 minutes.
Operational Modes
In its kamikaze mode, Nagastra-1 can perform precision strikes using GPS
guidance, achieving an accuracy within 2 meters.
The munition features an abort capability, allowing it to return and land
safely via parachute if no target is detected or if the mission is aborted.
Technological Advantages
The UAV operates quietly due to its electric propulsion system, making it
difficult to detect at altitudes above 200 meters.
Equipped with both day and night surveillance cameras, it enhances situational
awareness for operators.
Unique Features
One of the most notable aspects of the Nagastra-1 is its reusable capability. If a mission is aborted or a target is not identified, it can return safely using a parachute recovery system, allowing for potential reuse. This feature sets it apart from many other loitering munitions available globally.
How Does The Nagastra-1 Compare To Other Suicide Drones Used Globally
The Nagastra-1 loitering drone, presents several unique features and capabilities that differentiate it from other suicide drones used globally. Here’s a comparative analysis of the Nagastra-1 against some prominent international loitering munitions.
| Feature | Nagastra-1 | IAI Harop (Israel) | Shahed-136 (Iran) | Switchblade-300 (USA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 9 kg | 200 kg | 200 kg | 2.5 kg |
| Warhead | 1 kg (upgradable to 2.2 kg) | 23 kg | 40 kg | 0.5 kg |
| Range | 15 km (manual), 30 km (autonomous) | 100 km | 2,500 km | 10 km |
| Endurance | 30-60 minutes | 6 hours | Up to 12 hours | 15 minutes |
| Recovery Mechanism | Yes (parachute recovery) | No | No | No |
| Guidance System | GPS-enabled | GPS/INS | GPS/INS | GPS/INS |
| Stealth Features | Low acoustic signature | Moderate | Moderate | Low |
| Operational Use | Precision strikes on soft targets | Strategic target elimination | Infrastructure sabotage | Tactical strikes on soft targets |
Induction Into The Indian Army
The Indian Army has officially inducted the Nagastra-1, receiving its first
batch of 120 units as part of an order for a total of 480 munitions placed
under emergency procurement powers. The Indian Army has procured a total of
480 Nagastra-1 drones, with an initial batch of 120 units delivered following
successful pre-delivery inspections. These drones were ordered under emergency
procurement powers to address urgent operational needs along the borders with
Pakistan and China, particularly in challenging terrains like high-altitude
areas.
The induction of the Nagastra-1 aligns with India's broader defence strategy
to enhance its indigenous military capabilities. The drone's development
involved over 75% indigenous content, showcasing India's push towards
self-reliance in defence technology. This initiative is part of the
government's Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) campaign, which aims to
reduce dependence on foreign arms and promote local manufacturing.
The deployment of such advanced drone technology is particularly timely given
recent geopolitical tensions and the increasing need for effective
surveillance and strike capabilities along India's northern borders. The
Nagastra-1 is expected to play a crucial role in countering threats from
infiltrators and enhancing operational effectiveness in conflict scenarios.
The successful deployment of Nagastra-1 not only strengthens India's military
arsenal but also positions it as a key player in the development and
utilization of advanced UAV technologies.
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