Solar Industries India Ltd. has achieved a significant milestone by securing two major export orders, further solidifying its position as a key player in the global defence sector. The company, along with its subsidiary Economic Explosives (EEL), has bagged export contracts worth Rs 2,039 crore, marking a strong demand for Indian-manufactured defence products. These orders for the supply of defence products to international clients, which will be fulfilled over the next four years, reflect Solar Industries’ growing reputation in the international defence market.
In addition to the export orders, Solar Industries has made strides in enhancing India’s indigenous defence capabilities. The company is preparing to deliver its first indigenous loitering munition, Nagastra-1, to the Indian Army. This new development, which involves state-of-the-art loitering munitions, is set to be inducted into the Indian Army’s infantry, marking a significant step in India’s move toward self-reliance in defence technologies.
Solar Industries’ Major Export Orders
On December 2, 2024, Solar Industries announced that it had secured export orders worth Rs 2,039 crore for the supply of advanced defence products. The orders, set to be delivered over the next four years, underscore Solar Industries’ growing presence in the international defence market. The company, along with its subsidiary EEL, did not disclose the identity of the international clients but stressed that these orders would involve the supply of cutting-edge defence products, likely to include ammunition and explosives, given the company’s expertise in these areas.
This announcement builds on another significant order that Solar Industries received just a month earlier. In November 2024, the company revealed it had bagged an export order worth Rs 399.4 crore, which must be completed within three years. These major export wins highlight the growing demand for India-made defence products and further strengthen Solar Industries’ role in the global defence supply chain.
India’s First Indigenous Loitering Munition
At the same time, Solar Industries is making strides in the development of indigenous military technology. The company, through its subsidiary EEL, has successfully developed Nagastra-1, India’s first indigenous loitering munition. This advanced weapon system is expected to be inducted into the Indian Army, marking a crucial milestone in India’s quest for self-reliance in defence technology.
Loitering munitions, sometimes referred to as “suicide drones,” are designed to loiter over a battlefield for extended periods, searching for targets. Once a target is identified, the munition dives onto it, delivering a precision strike. Solar’s Nagastra-1 is a significant leap forward for India, as it joins a growing list of countries developing such technologies.
The Indian Army is set to receive 480 loitering munitions, as part of an emergency procurement order, with EEL fulfilling the contract. This will provide the army with enhanced strike capabilities and reinforce India’s indigenous defence strength.
Successful Testing of Loitering Munitions
The development of loitering munitions by Solar Industries has been rigorously tested in real-world conditions. Recently, three variants—Hexacopter, LM1, and LM0—underwent successful trials in the rugged terrain of Ladakh’s Nubra Valley. These tests confirmed that the LM1 and LM0 could achieve full endurance of 60 minutes in flight, while the Hexacopter, a particularly innovative model, reached a flight ceiling of 4,500 meters, marking a world-first for man-portable loitering munitions equipped with a 4 kg warhead.
These loitering munitions are over 80 percent indigenous, underscoring Solar Industries’ commitment to developing self-sufficient, world-class military technologies. The company also claims that these products will be up to 40% more cost-effective than imported alternatives, positioning India as a more affordable yet high-tech supplier of such advanced systems.
Strategic Collaboration and Future Growth
In addition to its technological developments, Solar Industries has strengthened its position in the UAV and loitering munition market by partnering with Z Motion Autonomous Pvt. Ltd., a Bengaluru-based firm specializing in drone technologies. This partnership has enabled Solar to develop weaponized UAVs and counter-drone systems, areas that are increasingly important in modern warfare.
As reported previously by FinancialExpress.com, in a strategic move, Solar Industries recently acquired a 45 percent equity stake in Z Motion, enhancing its capabilities in the rapidly evolving field of unmanned aerial vehicles. This collaboration is expected to bolster Solar Industries’ portfolio of advanced unmanned systems and further its goals of developing both offensive UAVs and counter-drone technologies.
Strengthening India’s Defence Capabilities
The combined success of securing major export orders and developing indigenous technologies like Nagastra-1 loitering munitions represents a pivotal moment for India’s defence sector. Solar Industries, along with other private defence firms, is playing a key role in India’s push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing. As the company continues to develop and export advanced defence products, it is contributing to India’s rising stature as a global player in the defence industry.
These developments also signal a shift in India’s defence strategy, as the country moves away from reliance on foreign imports for high-tech weaponry. The successful integration of loitering munitions into the Indian Army’s arsenal demonstrates India’s growing technological independence and its ability to develop sophisticated, world-class defence systems locally.