Solar Defence Begins Deliveries of Nagastra-2 Loitering Munition System to Indian Army

Indian defence company Solar Defence has begun delivering the Nagastra-2 loitering munition system to the Indian Army.

The advanced unmanned aerial weapon is designed to fly over an area while searching for and monitoring targets. Once a target is identified, the system can be used to carry out a precision strike. Such weapons are commonly known as suicide drones or loitering munitions.

The Nagastra-2 can be operated in two different modes. In its fire-and-forget mode, the system has a reported range of up to 50 kilometres, allowing it to engage targets at considerable distances.

The drone has an endurance of up to 60 minutes, enabling it to conduct surveillance and search operations over a target area before striking.

One of the system's key features is its four-kilogram tandem shaped-charge warhead, designed to engage tanks and other armoured military vehicles. According to the reported specifications, the warhead can penetrate up to 650 millimetres of rolled homogeneous armour (RHA), a standard measure used to assess the penetration capability of anti-armour weapons.

The induction of the Nagastra-2 is expected to strengthen the Indian Army's loitering munition capabilities, particularly for surveillance and precision engagement of armoured targets.