Solar Defence and Aerospace Ltd. (SDAL), a Nagpur-based defence manufacturer, has completed deliveries of its indigenous NAGASTRA-2 anti-tank loitering munition system to the Indian Army, marking a significant development in India’s efforts to enhance domestic precision-strike capabilities.
The system is designed to engage armoured targets using a tandem shaped-charge warhead capable of penetrating up to 650 mm of Rolled Homogeneous Armour (RHA). This capability enables NAGASTRA-2 to address a range of armoured threats in modern battlefield environments.
NAGASTRA-2 Completes Technical Trials
Developed by SDAL, NAGASTRA-2 successfully completed technical trials at the Mahajan Field Firing Range (MFFR) in August 2026. According to the company, Army personnel evaluated the system’s operational performance and verified compliance with Electronic Counter-Countermeasures (ECCM) requirements during the trials, supporting its subsequent induction into service.
The loitering munition carries a 4 kg tandem shaped-charge warhead and incorporates day-and-night surveillance cameras for target observation and engagement. Its integrated surveillance and strike functions allow operators to locate and assess targets before executing precision attacks.
NAGASTRA-2 offers an endurance of up to 60 minutes, enabling it to remain airborne while searching for suitable targets. The system reportedly provides an operational range of up to 25 km in recover-and-reuse mode and up to 50 km in fire-and-forget mode, giving military commanders flexibility in mission planning and target engagement.
ECCM Technology for Contested Environments
Electronic Counter-Countermeasures is a key feature of NAGASTRA-2, intended to improve the system’s operational resilience in environments affected by electronic warfare. The capability is designed to counter communication jamming, GPS interference and spoofing attempts that can disrupt unmanned platforms during military operations.
By incorporating ECCM technology, the system aims to maintain mission effectiveness under challenging electromagnetic conditions. This capability is increasingly relevant as modern battlefields feature more sophisticated electronic warfare systems and countermeasures targeting unmanned aerial platforms.
Building on the NAGASTRA-1R Programme
The completion of NAGASTRA-2 deliveries builds on the Indian Army’s earlier procurement of approximately 450 NAGASTRA-1R loitering munitions from SDAL in 2025. The earlier system was developed as a cost-effective precision-strike solution featuring fully reusable launcher systems and advanced surveillance capabilities.
NAGASTRA-1R incorporates a 360-degree gimbal camera and can be equipped with a thermal imaging payload for night-time missions. It also features proprietary encryption for video and telemetry links, alongside a reported Circular Error Probable (CEP) of approximately two metres, indicating its stated targeting precision.
More than 80% of the NAGASTRA-1R’s content is indigenous, reflecting the company’s contribution to India’s domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem. The Nagastra family has also undergone testing in diverse operational environments, including Ladakh and Babina near Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh, demonstrating performance across varied terrain and climatic conditions.
Strengthening India’s Indigenous Defence Capabilities
The delivery of NAGASTRA-2 highlights India’s continued focus on developing and deploying domestically manufactured precision-strike systems. By integrating surveillance, target engagement and electronic counter-countermeasures into a single platform, the system is designed to support evolving operational requirements of the Indian Army.
The programme also underscores the expanding role of Indian defence manufacturers in developing specialised unmanned systems for military applications. Indigenous production and procurement can support domestic technological expertise, strengthen supply-chain resilience and reduce dependence on foreign defence equipment.
With its reported armour-penetration capability, extended endurance, operational range and ECCM features, NAGASTRA-2 represents a further step in the Indian Army’s adoption of indigenous loitering munition technology and India’s broader drive towards self-reliance in advanced defence systems.
