Loitering munitions, once considered niche, have proven their effectiveness in recent conflicts. Platforms such as Iran’s Shahed-series have demonstrated how relatively inexpensive systems can compel adversaries to deploy costly air defence assets, exhaust resources, and still allow some strikes to penetrate. The underlying logic is straightforward: scale, endurance, and timing can offset traditional advantages in firepower.
India is now building a capability in this space, one that aims to push beyond existing models.
The SHESHNAAG-150 developed by NewSpace Research & Technologies in Bengaluru did not begin as a flagship defence programme. Initially conceived as an internal effort, it has gained prominence as operational requirements have evolved. Recent military needs have placed greater emphasis on systems that can operate deep within contested environments without relying heavily on established infrastructure. In that context, SHESHNAAG-150 has moved from concept to urgency.
At its core, SHESHNAAG-150 is a long-range loitering munition. It is designed to travel distances exceeding 1,000 kilometres while remaining airborne for over five hours. This combination of range and endurance is central to its role. Unlike traditional missiles that are committed once launched, loitering systems provide flexibility. They can observe, verify targets, and adjust mid-mission before executing a strike. This reduces the likelihood of wasted engagements and increases operational precision.
This capability is particularly relevant in modern electronic warfare conditions, where communication and navigation systems are frequent targets.
With a payload capacity of 25 to 40 kilograms, the platform is capable of targeting semi-hardened and hardened assets, including radar installations, storage facilities, and command infrastructure.
A defining feature of the SHESHNAAG-150 is its swarm capability. The system is designed to operate not as a single drone, but as part of a coordinated group. Multiple units can share data and synchronise their approach, creating a far more complex challenge for air defence systems.
Intercepting a lone drone is relatively manageable. Responding to a coordinated swarm approaching from varying altitudes and directions is significantly more demanding. The complexity lies less in the hardware and more in the software: real-time coordination, adaptive behaviour, and resilient communication under contested conditions.
Autonomy is another critical component. SHESHNAAG-150 is being developed to identify and track targets with limited human intervention. This reduces dependence on constant operator control and enables faster responses in dynamic scenarios.
The SHESHNAAG-150 reflects a wider trend in India’s defence approach: an increasing focus on indigenous development, not just of platforms but of underlying technologies and software. This shift is about more than self-reliance. It allows for faster iteration, adaptation based on real-world feedback, and reduced dependency on external suppliers.
More broadly, warfare itself is evolving toward distributed systems—networks of smaller, interconnected units that can operate collaboratively, share intelligence, and adapt in real time.
In that landscape, systems like SHESHNAAG-150 are not replacements for traditional military assets. Instead, they are force multipliers, reshaping how those assets are deployed, and how conflicts are fought.