Pune co successfully tests 300km-range Suryastra rockets off Odisha; Army procuring its launcher systems
NEW DELHI: In a boost for the country’s indigenous defence capabilities, Indian company NIBE Limited has successfully carried out the firing demonstration of the EXTRA and Predator Hawk “Suryastra” rockets of 150 km and 300 km range, respectively from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha.The consecutive trials on May 18 and 19 met all mission objectives with exceptional precision, NIBE said in a statement. According to officials, both rockets achieved highly accurate strikes during testing, with a circular error probable (CEP), a standard measure of missile accuracy, of just 1.5 m and 2 m respectively. The trials have validated Suryastra’s long-range precision strike capability. Achieving a CEP of under 2 m at distances up to 300 km places the Suryastra among the most accurate long-range rocket artillery systems globally, allowing the Indian Army to neutralise high-value targets with minimal collateral damage.The Pune-based NSE-listed company had received a purchase order in Jan this year from the Indian Army under the emergency procurement for the supply of Suryastra universal rocket launcher and rockets.Suryastra is India’s first indigenous, universal multi-caliber rocket launcher system, designed to conduct precision surface-to-surface deep strikes against hostile targets. It bridges the gap between traditional field artillery and heavy ballistic missiles and provides armed forces with a highly flexible, rapid-response and cost-effective precision weapon system.The platform uses a modular launcher that can fire different types of rockets without requiring hardware changes. Built on an all-terrain tactical truck chassis, it features “shoot-and-scoot” capabilities, enabling the system to fire a salvo and immediately relocate to avoid counter-battery fire.The procurement order reflects the Army’s growing confidence in private Indian firms developing advanced weapons systems and gives a big push to the govt’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
