A new facility for manufacturing drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), loitering munitions, and counter-drone systems was inaugurated at Economic Explosives Ltd (EEL), a subsidiary of Solar Group, in Nagpur.
The facility aims to enhance local production capacity for advanced military and civil drone technologies. EEL has started manufacturing and supplying loitering munitions under an emergency purchase contract with the Indian Army. To date, 480 units of the loiter munition system, Nagastra-1, have been delivered. This system is designed for precision strikes with GPS guidance and features a reusable parachute recovery mechanism.
The facility can produce up to 1,000 loitering munitions annually. To support development and testing, it includes an environmental qualification area and a 1.25-km-long runway under construction for Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAVs.
Solar Industries has committed INR 10,000 crore over the next decade to expand its defense manufacturing capabilities, emphasizing weaponized drones and supporting systems. These efforts align with ongoing national initiatives to strengthen indigenous defense production.
The announcement highlights India’s increasing focus on drone technology, citing its growing significance in military operations and surveillance.