State PCS - Rajasthan (RAS)

• 16 Jun 2025

Indian Army Successfully Trials Rudrastra UAV in Pokharan

Why in News? 

The Indian Army successfully conducted trials of the Rudrastra hybrid Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) UAV in Pokharan, Rajasthan.  

• Developed by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited, the UAV is part of India’s ongoing efforts to enhance its indigenous defense capabilities. 

Key Points 

• Key Features and Capabilities of Rudrastra UAV: 
  • The indigenous VTOL UAV is named Rudrastra, symbolising the strength of Atmanirbharta (self-reliance in defence). 
  • Key features demonstrated during trials included: 
    • Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) 
    • Long-endurance missions 
    • Real-time video transmission 
    • Precision engagement 
    • Operational flexibility in rugged terrain 
  • Trial Performance: 
    • Rudrastra maintained a stable real-time video link throughout its mission. 
    • It successfully operated within a mission radius of over 50 km and returned to the launch point without any issue. 
    • Including target loitering, the UAV covered a range of over 170 km with an endurance of approximately 1.5 hours. 
  • Applications and Strategic Utility: 
    • The Rudrastra can be used for surveillance, reconnaissance, and target engagement, making it ideal for mountainous or hard-to-access areas. 
    • VTOL UAVs require no runway, offering flexibility for quick deployment in diverse operational environments. 
• India’s Push for Advanced UAVs After Operation Sindoor: 
  • Operation Sindoor marked India’s first large-scale non-contact military operation using drones, missiles, and precision munitions. 
  • This experience highlighted the critical need for advanced UAV capabilities in modern combat scenarios. 
  • In response the Indian Army has intensified efforts to induct more UAVs to strengthen India’s preparedness against similar non-contact threats in the future.