Army witnesses operational demo of indigenous loitering munition platform

Jaisalmer: UP-based aerospace and defence technology company Hoverit conducted an operational demonstration of its indigenous tactical loitering munition platform, Divyastra Mk-1, in the Jodhpur desert region. It was witnessed by senior Indian Army officers and representatives from the defence sector.

During the exercise, the Divyastra Mk-1 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was launched multiple times from a vehicle-mounted mobile launcher system. Officials assessed its rapid deployment capability, battlefield mobility and operational readiness under field conditions.

The demonstration also showcased the UAV’s intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, including real-time intelligence gathering, reconnaissance operations and support for tactical decision-making.

According to the company, the Divyastra Mk-1 is a fully indigenous tactical UAV developed to meet the evolving requirements of the Indian Armed Forces. It was designed for intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance and precision-strike missions, with applications including border monitoring, target identification and tactical engagement operations.

The UAV has an operational range of up to 500 km and an endurance of up to five hours, enabling extended surveillance and long-duration missions. It can be equipped with mission-specific payloads, including electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, communication relay systems and specialised warhead configurations, allowing it to be adapted for different operational requirements.

Defence experts said successful demonstrations of indigenous platforms such as Divyastra Mk-1 strengthen India’s push towards defence self-reliance under the “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative and highlight the growing maturity of the country’s domestic UAV capabilities.