Private sector powers India’s deep-strike capability with Suryastra rocket tests

In a major boost to India’s long-range rocket artillery capabilities, Pune-based private sector defence manufacturer Nibe Limited has successfully conducted firing trials of its indigenous Suryastra rockets with strike ranges of 150 km and 300 km at the Integrated Test Range on May 18 and 19.

The successful trials mark the first time an Indian private defence company has demonstrated indigenous long-range rocket systems of such capability, representing a significant milestone in India’s defence preparedness and the growing role of the private sector in strategic weapons manufacturing.

Officials familiar with the development said the rockets performed beyond the minimum specified parameters during the trials. The 150 km and 300 km range rockets reportedly achieved a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of 1.5 metres and 2 metres respectively, demonstrating high precision strike capability.

Army’s contract

The trials were conducted against a procurement order placed by the Indian Army under emergency procurement powers. In January this year, the Army signed a contract worth ₹293 crore with Nibe Limited for the supply of the long-range rocket launcher system aimed at significantly enhancing deep-strike artillery firepower.

The Suryastra system is India’s first indigenous, universal, multi-calibre rocket launcher capable of carrying out precision surface-to-surface strikes at ranges extending up to 300 km.

In July 2025, Nibe Limited signed a Technology Collaboration Agreement with Israeli defence major Elbit Systems for the manufacturing of the advanced Universal Rocket Launcher system, SURYA, in India. The collaboration marked the first domestic production of a high-precision rocket launcher system with strike capability up to 300 km, further advancing the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in the defence sector.

Trials successful

Meanwhile, in another major development, the Defence Research and Development Organisation successfully completed the final deliverable configuration development trials of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 in both air-to-ground and air-to-air modes at the DRDO test range near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.

The trials were carried out using an integrated Ground Control System featuring advanced technologies to automate readiness and launch operations, further strengthening India’s indigenous precision-guided weapon capabilities.