SDAL Tests Rudrastra UAV and Bhargavastra Defence System

16 Jun 2025 CW Team

Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL) has successfully completed a key flight test of its indigenous Hybrid VTOL UAV Rudrastra at the Pokharan Firing Range, aligning with Indian Army performance benchmarks for mission adaptability, high endurance, precision engagement, and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability.

The trial marks a notable achievement in India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, underscoring advancements in home-grown military technology. The Rudrastra UAV demonstrated a mission radius exceeding 50 km with uninterrupted video relay, a total operational range of over 170 km, and an endurance of around 1.5 hours, including time spent hovering over the target.

A significant feature was the successful deployment of a precision-guided anti-personnel warhead, which produced a low-altitude airburst with wide-area impact. Dropped from a medium altitude, the munition met tactical standards, showcasing the UAV’s real-time targeting accuracy and operational flexibility.

Separately, in May, SDAL also developed the ‘Bhargavastra’ Counter Drone System, designed for hard kill response against hostile drones. The system, equipped with unguided micro rockets, underwent extensive testing at the Seaward Firing Range in Gopalpur, meeting all performance goals.

Bhargavastra is capable of neutralising incoming drones within a 2.5 km range and creates a 20-metre lethal radius upon impact. Optimised for deployment across diverse and high-altitude terrains—above 5,000 metres—the system is tailored to suit operational demands of India’s armed forces.

Both Rudrastra and Bhargavastra reinforce India’s push toward self-reliant defence manufacturing under the ‘Make in India’ framework, adding robust capabilities to the nation’s evolving defence ecosystem.

Image source:https://www.cnbctv18.com/

Infrastructure Transport

01 Jun 2026

MMRDA advances 250 m on Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed 250 m of underground tunnelling for the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel using India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) deployed for an urban road project.The project involves twin tunnels extending over 7 km beneath critical transport corridors, including Central Railway, Western Railway and Metro Line 3. The work requires high-precision engineering to navigate densely developed urban infrastructure.Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marin..

Hindustan Zinc Pays Rs 188.46 Billion in FY26

Hindustan Zinc contributed Rs 188.46 billion to the public exchequer in FY 2025-26, according to its 9th Tax Transparency Report. The contribution, equivalent to 46 per cent of the company’s revenue, included direct and indirect taxes, government royalties, dividends to the Government of India, withholding taxes and other statutory levies.The company’s five-year cumulative contribution to the exchequer stood at Rs 915.72 billion. In FY26, Hindustan Zinc reported revenue of Rs 408.44 billion, EBITDA of Rs 221.62 billion and profit after tax of Rs 138.32 billion. It also achieved its highest..

World of Concrete India 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Informa Markets in India will host the 12th edition of World of Concrete India 2026 from 3–5 June 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The specialised B2B exhibition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, developers, architects, consultants, infrastructure companies, project leaders and government stakeholders.The event is expected to feature over 350 brands and more than 18,000 trade professionals. It will cover concrete and cement, dry mortar, precast technologies, formwork, construction chemicals, industrial and commercial flooring, scaffolding, safety solutio..