On August 11, 2026, India marked a significant milestone in its defence capabilities with the successful maiden flight of the Divyastra Mk3, the nation's first fully indigenous jet-powered loitering munition. Developed by Lucknow-based defence startup Kawa UAV Pvt. Ltd. (operating as HoverIt), the unmanned aircraft took to the skies in Uttar Pradesh, propelled by an entirely Indian-made jet engine.
The test flight validated all pre-defined operational parameters for the engine, underscoring India's growing expertise in developing complex aerospace propulsion systems locally. This achievement places India among a select group of nations capable of domestically producing such advanced precision strike and autonomous air systems.
Rapid Indigenous Development
The Divyastra Mk3 programme, initiated at the beginning of 2026, moved from concept to a fully airborne weapon system in under eight months. This rapid development timeline highlights the efficiency and capability of Indian engineering, with no reliance on foreign critical subsystems or imported jet engines.
The mission-capable turbojet engine driving the Divyastra Mk3 was engineered entirely by DG Propulsion, an Indian propulsion technology company. This collaboration between HoverIt and DG Propulsion exemplifies the spirit of the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India) initiative, aiming to bolster domestic manufacturing and reduce dependence on foreign imports in critical sectors.
A Declaration of Intent
“This is not merely a test flight — it is a declaration of intent. India has demonstrated, at scale and at speed, that it can conceive, engineer, and fly a jet-powered precision strike system entirely from within its own borders. Divyastra Mk3 is Atmanirbhar Bharat in action,” stated the co-founders of HoverIt (Kawa UAV Pvt. Ltd.).
The successful test flight is a testament to the country's broader push to scale up precision strike and autonomous air capabilities within its military-industrial complex. It signifies a major leap in India's journey towards self-reliance in cutting-edge defence technology, enhancing its strategic independence and operational readiness.