Sky's the Limit: PM Modi Paves Way for India’s Drone Dominance with New Facility

Sky's the Limit: PM Modi Paves Way for India’s Drone Dominance with New Facility

In a milestone moment for India's defence industry, Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the country's first private-sector military drone test runway and loitering munition test facility in Nagpur on March 30, 2025. Built by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited, the cutting-edge complex has a 1.27-km-long runway and a vast 1,080-acre test range, a landmark moment in India's march towards self-reliance in defence technology.

The center is intended to promote the indigenous development of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) and High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) drones for the Indian military. It also features state-of-the-art infrastructure for the testing of loitering munitions—precision-guided "kamikaze drones"—with ranges of over 100 km. The Nagastra family of loitering munitions, which can carry explosive payloads of up to 10 kg, was displayed at the event.

This project highlights the increasing contribution of private companies to India's defence industry. Solar Defence has made major investments to make Nagpur a drone and ammunition technology hub. PM Modi praised the project as a reflection of India's technological capabilities and determination to become "Aatmanirbharta" (self-reliant) in defence.

Sources: Economic Times, Swarajya Magazine, IDRW