Revolution in the Skies: PM Modi Inaugurates Cutting-Edge Defence Test Range

Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened India's first private-sector Loitering Munition Test Range and UAV runway at Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited in Nagpur on 30 March 2025. This state-of-the-art facility is on 1,080 acres and features a separate 1.27-km runway for Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) and High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones and represents a major advancement in India's indigenous defence capabilities.

The test range has been fitted with the latest facilities including a Command & Control Centre, areas for launching UAVs, warhead lethality test areas, and parachute recovery systems. On the occasion of the visit, PM Modi inspected advanced indigenous technologies including the Nagastra series of loitering munitions, which can deliver precision strikes with ranges of over 100 km and payloads of up to 10 kg. All these developments are set to enhance India's tactical advantage while minimizing dependence on imports.

This effort is in line with the government's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, focusing on defence manufacturing self-reliance. The partnership of Solar Defence with the government of Maharashtra also highlights its vision to create next-generation defence systems. The visit by PM Modi not only highlighted the technological capabilities but also reiterated India's intentions to transform its defence forces.

Sources: Republic World, Economic Times, Times of India