Indigenous VTOL UAV ‘Rudrastra’
On 11th June 2025, the Indian Army successfully completed trials of the Rudrastra hybrid Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) UAV at Pokhran, Rajasthan.
Why the Push for UAVs?
- Non-contact warfare witnessed during Operation Sindoor included drones, missiles, and munitions from Pakistan.
- The threat from hostile UAV swarms has underlined the urgent need for quick-response, terrain-adaptive aerial systems.
- The Army is now prioritising homegrown UAV platforms under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
What is Rudrastra?
- A hybrid Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) UAV, capable of taking off and landing without a runway.
- Built by Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) — a key player in ....
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