Devendra Fadnavis Unveils Advanced Drone Manufacturing Facility in Nagpur.

In a significant step towards bolstering India’s defence manufacturing capabilities, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated a state-of-the-art drone and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturing facility in Nagpur. The facility has been established by Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), a subsidiary of Solar Industries, marking a major milestone in India’s pursuit of self-reliance in defence technology.

Strengthening Indigenous Defence Production

The newly launched facility aims to enhance the indigenous production of drones, UAVs, loiter munitions, and counter-drone systems. While Indian companies and start-ups have made substantial progress in using drones for surveillance and logistics, the development of combat-ready UAVs and weaponised drone technologies requires specialised expertise and infrastructure. Solar Industries is addressing this critical gap by focusing on military applications, including drone-based mine detection, disposal systems, and counter-drone solutions.

Nagastra-1: India’s First Indigenous Loiter Munition

A key highlight of the facility is the development of Nagastra-1, India’s first indigenous loiter munition. This GPS-enabled precision strike system has already been inducted into the Indian Army’s infantry under an emergency procurement contract. EEL has delivered 480 units of Nagastra-1, which can neutralise threats with an accuracy of up to two meters.

Nagastra-1 also features a unique mission recovery capability. If a target is not located or the mission is aborted, the loiter munition can return safely using a parachute recovery system, enabling its reuse. The success of Nagastra-1 has paved the way for the development of advanced variants, Nagastra-2 and Nagastra-3, which are being developed under the ‘Make 2’ initiative. These upgraded systems will offer enhanced performance and greater warhead-carrying capabilities, further strengthening India’s defence arsenal.

Expanding Capabilities with MALE UAVs

The Nagpur facility also marks Solar Industries’ entry into the development of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAVs, which are equipped with both surveillance and attack capabilities. These UAVs are expected to play a crucial role in modern warfare, acting as force multipliers in various military operations.

The Global Significance of Drone Technology

The growing importance of drones in modern warfare has been demonstrated in recent conflicts, including the Armenia-Azerbaijan war, strikes in Syria, and ongoing clashes in Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Gaza. In India, incidents along the northern borders have highlighted the need for robust indigenous drone capabilities to address emerging threats.

Transforming Nagpur into a Defence Hub

Speaking at the inauguration, Solar Industries Chairman Satyanarayan Nuwal expressed his vision of transforming Nagpur into a hub for the development and manufacturing of advanced weaponised drones and related technologies. This initiative is a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation and self-reliance in defence production, in line with India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) mission.

Advancing India’s Defence Ecosystem

The launch of the advanced drone manufacturing facility reinforces India’s growing competence in emerging military technologies and strengthens its position in the global defence ecosystem. With this facility, Nagpur is set to play a pivotal role in advancing India’s defence manufacturing capabilities, contributing significantly to the country’s quest for self-reliance in defence technology.

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