Indigenous Vayu Astra-1 completes high-altitude trials in Uttarakhand, Pokhran

Pune-based defence technology firm Nibe Limited has successfully completed no-cost, no-commitment demonstrations of its indigenous loitering munition system ‘Vayu Astra-1’ during trials conducted at Pokhran in Rajasthan, and Joshimath (Malari) in Uttarakhand in April for the Indian Army.

According to Nibe Limited, the company conducted the first demonstration of the anti-personnel variant of the Vayu Astra-1 at the Pokhran Range on April 18-19. Equipped with a 10-kg warhead, the loitering munition successfully struck its target at a range of 100 km in a single attempt, achieving a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of less than one metre. The system also demonstrated abort attack and reattack capability during the trial.

The company further added that the loitering munition is based on an Israeli-origin platform and has been adapted for operational requirements.

Nibe Limited successfully completed technical trials of its Vayu Astra-1 loitering munition for the Indian Army, in Joshimath.
| Photo Credit:
Nibe Group

During the demonstration, the team also carried out an anti-armour night strike using an infrared camera. The munition successfully engaged the target within a CEP of two metres in a single attempt. The trial additionally demonstrated the capability of handing over operational control from the Ground Control Station to a Forward Control Segment located 70 km away.

High-altitude trials of the Vayu Astra-1 were conducted at Joshimath (Malari) in Uttarakhand on April 26-27. During these tests, the loitering munition successfully completed endurance flying for more than 90 minutes at an altitude exceeding 14,000 feet.

The company said the system also demonstrated successful recovery after mission completion, enabling reuse for subsequent operations.

Earlier, the company successfully conducted firing trials of its indigenous Suryastra rockets with strike ranges of 150 km and 300 km at the Integrated Test Range on May 18 and 19.