The effective use of low-cost Shahed-series drones by Iran in its conflict with Israel has prompted India to accelerate its own long-range strike drone programs. Last week, following the escalation in the Middle East, India conducted successful highway launch trials for the indigenous Sheshnaag-150 drone. Developed by Bengaluru-based startup Newspace Research Technologies (NRT), this swarming attack drone is designed to operate in GPS-denied environments and hit targets with high precision.
Simultaneously, another major initiative called Project KAL by IG Defence has been put on the fast track. Inspired by the strategic utility of Shahed-class systems, Project KAL aims to deliver a deep-penetration strike platform with a 1,000 km range. These developments follow the lessons learned during India’s own Operation Sindoor in May 2025, where drones played a pivotal role in neutralizing terror infrastructure. With the ability to carry 25–40 kg warheads and stay airborne for over five hours, these “made-in-India” systems are set to become essential tools in India’s modern warfare doctrine. (NDTV)
For more details: Navamalayalam.com