New Delhi: India’s growing defence technology ecosystem has taken a major leap forward with the development of Sheshnaag-150, a long-range suicide drone designed by Bengaluru-based startup NewSpace Research & Technologies. Built as a next-generation loitering munition, the system is designed to strike high-value targets deep inside hostile territory with precision and autonomy.

The advanced drone reflects India’s rapid push toward indigenous autonomous warfare systems, where private defence startups are increasingly contributing to cutting-edge military technologies.

A New Generation of Loitering Attack Drone

Unlike conventional UAVs that return after completing surveillance missions, Sheshnaag-150 functions as a loitering munition, often described as a “suicide drone.” It can remain airborne for hours while searching for a target and then destroy itself by crashing into the objective with an explosive payload.

Designed for long-distance operations, the drone can reportedly travel over 1,000 kilometres and remain in the air for more than five hours, making it capable of conducting deep-strike missions far beyond the frontlines.

Key Capabilities

The Sheshnaag-150 has been engineered to meet the evolving needs of modern warfare, where autonomous drones are increasingly replacing traditional missile systems for certain strike missions.

Major features include:

• Long operational range: Over 1,000 km for deep-strike capability

• Extended endurance: More than five hours of flight time

• Payload capacity: Approximately 25–40 kg warhead

• Autonomous navigation: AI-enabled target detection and tracking

• Swarm capability: Multiple drones can coordinate attacks simultaneously

• GPS-denied operations: Advanced navigation systems allow operation even when satellite signals are jammed

These features enable the drone to identify and strike targets such as military installations, radar systems, vehicles, or infrastructure with high precision.

Built for Swarm Warfare

One of the most significant aspects of the Sheshnaag-150 is its swarm-attack capability. Multiple drones can be launched together, communicating with each other and coordinating their movements to overwhelm enemy air-defence systems.

This concept of swarm warfare is rapidly reshaping modern battlefields, allowing relatively low-cost drones to neutralize expensive defence systems.

Startup Driving India’s Drone Innovation

The drone has been developed by NewSpace Research & Technologies, a Bengaluru-based defence startup specialising in AI-driven unmanned aerial systems and swarm robotics.

Founded in 2017, the company has been working closely with India’s defence ecosystem and is also associated with projects such as the HAL Combat Air Teaming System, which aims to integrate autonomous drones with fighter aircraft for coordinated combat missions.

Strategic Significance

The emergence of systems like Sheshnaag-150 highlights the growing importance of loitering munitions in modern warfare, particularly after their extensive use in conflicts across the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

For India, such indigenous technologies could significantly enhance capabilities for deep-strike missions, border surveillance, and counter-terror operations, especially along sensitive frontiers.

As India strengthens its defence manufacturing ecosystem under the “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, platforms like the Sheshnaag-150 signal a new phase where homegrown startups are becoming key players in next-generation military innovation.