-Jodhpur Test Demonstrates Reliable Performance in Extreme Desert Conditions; Indigenous UAV Shows Advanced ISR and Precision-Strike Capabilities

NEW DELHI, June 1 (H.S.): India has moved a significant step closer to indigenous production of the Divyastra combat drone, following the successful testing of the Divyastra Mark-1 amid growing efforts to strengthen long-range unmanned combat capabilities in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor. The achievement marks a major breakthrough for India's domestic defence technology ecosystem.

Developed by Lucknow-based defence startup HoverIT, the Divyastra Mark-1 was successfully tested in the harsh desert environment of Jodhpur, Rajasthan, where temperatures exceeded 50 degrees Celsius and strong winds prevailed. According to the company, the platform delivered dependable performance under demanding field conditions, demonstrating its operational robustness and reliability.

The company stated that Divyastra Mark-1 successfully completed a series of operational demonstrations, including multiple launches from a vehicle-mounted mobile launcher, live Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, and terminal attack profiles. During the trials, the UAV was repeatedly launched from a mobile platform, showcasing rapid deployment capability, battlefield mobility, and tactical readiness under real-world conditions.

The exercise also validated the drone's effectiveness in dynamic ISR and reconnaissance missions, reinforcing its potential role in modern battlefield operations.

Divyastra Mark-1 is an indigenous tactical unmanned aerial vehicle designed for intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision-strike missions. With an operational range of up to 500 kilometres and an endurance of up to five hours, the platform has been engineered to support extended surveillance operations, target identification, and tactical engagement requirements.

The UAV can be configured with various payloads, communication relay systems, and mission-specific warhead packages, enabling it to undertake a wide spectrum of operational roles.

Notably, India has developed two advanced defence systems under the Divyastra name - Mission Divyastra, a missile system, and Divyastra Mark-1, a combat drone and loitering munition platform. Designed, developed, and integrated entirely in India, Divyastra Mark-1 is an indigenous artificial intelligence-enabled loitering munition system regarded as a potential game-changer for the Indian Armed Forces.