India tests indigenous loitering munition drone with 1,000km range

NewSpace Research and Technologies (NRST) has completed a successful takeoff test of the Seshnag-150 loitering munition, a domestically developed unmanned aerial system designed for extended-range strike operations. The development represents a significant milestone in India's autonomous weapons capabilities and indigenous defence technology sector.

The Seshnag-150 is engineered as a deep-strike platform, enabling sustained operations across extended geographical areas. The system weighs approximately 150 kilograms and demonstrates an operational range exceeding 1,000 kilometres, with an endurance capacity of up to five hours of continuous flight. The platform is configured to carry a warhead payload ranging from 25 to 40 kilograms, positioning it as a versatile option for precision strike missions.

The loitering munition concept allows the system to remain airborne over target areas, providing operational flexibility for mission execution. This capability enables operators to assess targets and determine optimal strike timing, a significant tactical advantage over conventional strike systems.

India's development of indigenous loitering munition technology reflects the nation's broader push toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing and advanced weapons systems. The successful test validates the platform's fundamental design parameters and engineering architecture ahead of further developmental phases.