India unveils first indigenous 300-km Suryastra rocket system

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday inaugurated a private sector defence manufacturing complex in Shirdi and flagged off India’s first 300-km Universal Rocket Launching System ‘Suryastra’, underscoring the country’s push towards self-reliance in advanced defence technologies.
According to agency reports the facility, developed by NIBE Limited, will focus on manufacturing advanced artillery systems, missile and space technologies, rocket systems, energetic materials and autonomous defence platforms. Devendra Fadnavis was also present at the inauguration ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Singh said that a nation capable of manufacturing its own weaponry “writes its own destiny” and asserted that future warfare would increasingly depend on advancements in munitions, automation and indigenous technologies rather than merely the size of armed forces.Referring to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine War, tensions in West Asia and India’s Operation Sindoor, the Defence Minister said modern conflicts were highlighting the importance of cutting-edge domestic capabilities. He stressed that self-reliance in defence production was critical not only for national security but also for economic resilience and industrial growth.
Singh said the Centre remained committed to transforming India into a global hub for munitions and automated defence systems through initiatives such as Make-in-India, Positive Indigenisation Lists, iDEX, ADITI and the Technology Development Fund.
The event also witnessed the laying of the foundation stone for a missile complex linked to the Suryastra rocket system. Indigenous TNT Plant Technology, RDX Plant Technology and a Renewable Bio-Energy Compressed Biogas Plant were also unveiled during the programme.
According to information,an MoU was exchanged between NIBE Group and BlackSky for cooperation in satellite assembly and related technologies.
Highlighting the growing role of private industry in defence manufacturing, Singh said the private sector’s contribution to India’s defence production had increased to nearly 25-30 per cent, with the government aiming to raise it to 50 per cent in the coming years.
The Defence Minister said the new manufacturing complex would strengthen India’s defence ecosystem by creating opportunities for MSMEs, ancillary industries, suppliers and vendors, while generating employment and promoting technological skill development among youth.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis praised the Centre’s push for Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence manufacturing and said India’s expanding indigenous capabilities were enhancing both national security and global peace efforts.
Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan, DRDO Chairman Samir V. Kamat and senior defence and industry officials also attended the event.