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 defense manufacturer Nibe Limited successfully conducted firing trials of indigenous Suryastra rockets with an attack range 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 defense company has demonstrated indigenous long-range rocket systems with such capabilities; This represents a significant milestone in India’s defense preparedness and the growing role of the private sector in strategic arms production.

Officials familiar with the development said the rockets performed beyond the minimum parameters specified during the trials. It was reported that the rockets with a range of 150 km and 300 km reached Probable Circular Error (CEP) of 1.5 meters and 2 meters, respectively, and demonstrated high-precision strike capability.

army contract

The trials were conducted against a purchase order issued by the Indian Army under emergency procurement powers. In January this year, the Army signed a contract worth Rs 293 million with Nibe Limited for the supply of a long-range rocket launcher system aimed at significantly increasing deep attack artillery firepower.

The Suryastra system is India’s first indigenous, universal, multi-caliber rocket launcher and is capable of delivering surface-to-surface precision attacks at ranges of up to 300 km.

In July 2025, Nibe Limited signed a Technology Cooperation Agreement with Israeli defense giant Elbit Systems for the production of advanced Universal Rocket Launcher system SURYA in India. The collaboration further advanced the government’s technological progress by realizing the first domestic production of a high-precision rocket launcher system capable of striking up to 300 km. AatmanirbharBharat Enterprise in the defense sector.

Trials successful

Meanwhile, in another major development, the Defense Research and Development Organization has successfully completed final deliverable configuration development trials of 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 conducted using an integrated Ground Control System incorporating advanced technologies to automate staging and launch operations, further strengthening India’s indigenous precision-guided weapons capabilities.