Indian Defense Forces Test Vayu Astra Loitering Munition with 100-km Strike Accuracy in Successful Trials

Nibe Limited Successfully Demonstrates Vayu Astra-1 Loitering Munition Capabilities

Pune-based defence company Nibe Limited has announced the successful no-cost, no-commitment demonstration of its Vayu Astra-1 loitering munition with a strike range of 100 km during trials conducted in Rajasthan and Uttarakhand.

The demonstrations were carried out at Pokhran in Rajasthan on April 18 and 19, and at Joshimath (Malari) in Uttarakhand on April 26 and 27. According to the company, the anti-personnel variant of the Vayu Astra-1 carried a 10 kg warhead during its first demonstration at the Pokhran range.

Under the Ministry of Defence's procurement process, no-cost, no-commitment trials are conducted without any payment or purchase commitment from the government. The company said the loitering munition struck its target at a distance of 100 km in a single attempt with a circular error probable (CEP) of less than one metre and also demonstrated abort-attack and re-attack capabilities.

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The Vayu Astra-1 was based on an Israeli loitering munition. During anti-armour night strike trials, the system successfully engaged targets using an infrared camera and achieved a hit within a 2-metre CEP in a single attempt. Nibe Limited also successfully demonstrated the transfer of control from the ground control station to a forward control segment located 70 km away.

In separate high-altitude trials in Joshimath (Malari), the Vayu Astra-1 reportedly flew for more than 90 minutes and completed missions at altitudes above 14,000 feet. The company added that the system also demonstrated recovery capability after mission completion for future reuse.

Earlier on May 20, Nibe Limited had announced the successful test-firing of its Suryastra Universal Rocket Launcher system. Consecutive trials held at the Interim Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha, on May 18 and 19 achieved all mission objectives with high precision. The trials followed an emergency procurement order awarded to Nibe Limited by the Indian Army in January 2026 for the development and supply of the Suryastra Universal Rocket Launcher and dedicated rockets with ranges of 150 km and 300 km.

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