Suryastra Rocket System and India’s Indigenous Defence Capabilities

Suryastra Rocket System and India’s Indigenous Defence Capabilities

Context

Recently, India marked a significant advancement in indigenous defence technology after Pune-based private defence company Nibe Limited successfully conducted the trial of the long-range Suryastra rocket system at Chandipur, Odisha.

About Suryastra Rocket System

  1. Suryastra is India’s first indigenous universal multi-calibre rocket launcher system developed by Pune-based NIBE Limited in collaboration with Israel’s Elbit Systems.
  2. The system is based on Elbit Systems’ PULS (Precise and Universal Launching System) technology.
  3. It is a long-range rocket artillery system designed for precision strikes against enemy positions, radar sites, command centres and logistics hubs.
  4. The launcher is mounted on a mobile 6×6 Tatra truck platform, enabling rapid deployment and battlefield mobility.
  5. It uses interchangeable modular pods that allow the launch of different types of rockets and missiles from a single platform.
  6. The system can fire 122 mm rockets for short-range operations, 306 mm EXTRA missiles with a range of about 150 km, and 370 mm Predator Hawk missiles capable of striking targets up to 300 km away.
  7. It can also launch SkyStriker loitering munitions, or suicide drones, with an operational range of nearly 100 km.
  8. Suryastra is capable of engaging multiple targets simultaneously at varying ranges with high precision.
  9. During trials, the system achieved a circular error probable (CEP) of less than five metres.
  10. It is equipped with an advanced fire-control system integrating GPS, inertial navigation and digital ballistic computation.
  11. Its semi-automated reload mechanism and shoot-and-scoot capability help minimise exposure to counter-battery attacks.