NIBE Limited recently launched a massive Defence Manufacturing Complex in Shirdi to produce artillery shells. The highlight is Suryastra, an indigenous multi-calibre rocket system capable of highly precise strikes up to 300 km, significantly boosting India's defence capabilities.
Why In News?
The Defence Minister inaugurated NIBE Group's Defence Manufacturing Complex in Shirdi and flagged off the indigenous 'Suryastra' Universal Rocket Launcher System.
What Is Suryastra?
The Suryastra Rocket System is India’s first indigenous universal multi-calibre rocket launcher system.
Pune-based private firm NIBE Limited manufactures the system under Technology Collaboration Agreement (TCA) with Israel’s Elbit Systems.
The system utilizes Elbit’s Precise & Universal Launching System (PULS) technology, enabling a single platform to fire multiple rocket types and munitions.
Strike Range: It executes precision strikes at ranges of 150 km and 300 km.
High Accuracy: Evaluations conducted at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur recorded a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of just 1.5 metres for the 150 km variant and 2 metres for the 300 km rocket.
Munition Versatility: The launcher carries a "mixed pack" of precision munitions. A standard load-out includes four 306 mm EXTRA rockets (150 km range, 120 kg warhead) and two 370 mm Predator Hawk missiles (300 km range, 140 kg warhead).
Autonomous Integration: The system deploys loitering munitions (kamikaze drones), such as the Vayu Astra-1, with a strike range of up to 100 km.
Tactical Mobility: It utilizes a high-mobility wheeled chassis for "shoot-and-scoot" tactics, allowing rapid relocation after firing to evade counter-battery attacks.
Source: DDNEWS
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Consider the following statements regarding the 'Suryastra' Rocket System:
Which of the statements given above is/are correct? A) 1 only B) 2 only C) Both 1 and 2 D) Neither 1 nor 2 Answer: C Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: The Suryastra is India’s first indigenously manufactured universal multi-calibre rocket launcher system. Developed by Pune-based NIBE Limited in collaboration with Israel's Elbit Systems, it is designed for precision surface-to-surface strikes with a maximum range of 300 km. Statement 2 is correct: Beyond standard rockets, the universal launcher platform is highly versatile and capable of integrating and firing loitering munitions (kamikaze drones) up to a range of 100 km. |
It is India's first indigenous universal multi-calibre rocket launcher system, developed by NIBE Limited in collaboration with Israel's Elbit Systems, capable of precision strikes at 150 km and 300 km.
It can carry 306 mm 'EXTRA' precision-guided rockets (150 km range) and 370 mm 'Predator Hawk' tactical missiles (300 km range), as well as loitering munitions up to 100 km.
The complex is located in Shirdi, Ahilyanagar district, Maharashtra, and was developed by the NIBE Group with an initial investment of Rs 1,000 crore.
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