Divyastra Mk3

Why in News?

Kawa UAV Pvt. Ltd., a defence start-up based in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, recently announced the successful maiden flight test of the Divyastra Mk3.

The maiden flight is significant because, according to the given source, it is the first instance in India’s defence history of an indigenously designed, developed and manufactured jet-powered loitering munition equipped with a fully indigenous powerplant taking to the skies.

About Divyastra Mk3

The Divyastra Mk3 is an indigenous loitering munition, commonly described as a kamikaze drone or suicide drone.

It has been developed by Kawa UAV Pvt. Ltd. (HoverIt), a defence start-up based in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

The system is designed to destroy high-value enemy assets, infrastructure and personnel in a warzone. It attacks its target directly by carrying an onboard explosive warhead.

Indigenous Jet Propulsion System

One of the most important features of the Divyastra Mk3 is its indigenous jet-propulsion system, developed by DG Propulsion, based in New Delhi.

Unlike many conventional UAVs that rely on propeller-driven piston engines or electric motors, the Divyastra Mk3 uses a compact indigenous jet engine.

This jet propulsion is designed to provide the UAV with higher speed, potentially reducing the time available to an adversary to detect, track and engage the incoming weapon.

Indicative Specifications

The official specifications have not been disclosed. However, the indicative data provided in the source suggests that the Divyastra Mk3 may have a range of around 300–400 km, a speed of approximately 250–300 kmph, and a warhead capacity of up to 15–20 kg.

Therefore, these figures should be treated as indicative rather than officially confirmed specifications.

Autonomous and AI-Enabled Capabilities

The Divyastra Mk3 features autonomous flight control and AI-enabled target-engagement capabilities.

These features allow the system to operate with a high degree of autonomy during its flight and target-engagement process.

Why Does Jet Propulsion Matter?

The use of a jet engine distinguishes the Divyastra Mk3 from many conventional drones and one-way attack UAVs.

Conventional UAVs such as Iran’s Shahed-136 use an internal-combustion engine to drive a propeller. Such an architecture generally prioritises endurance, simplicity and relatively low-cost operation.

In contrast, the Divyastra Mk3 uses a compact indigenous jet engine designed to provide higher speed.

The higher speed could reduce the reaction time available to an adversary for detecting, tracking and engaging the incoming weapon. Therefore, the Mk3 is conceptually closer to a small jet aircraft than to a conventional propeller-driven UAV.