Hyderabad-based Raghu Vamsi Aerospace showcased India’s first jet-powered kamikaze UAV, the Astra 100, at the Paris Air Show. Equipped with fully indigenous systems, it also features a 40 KGF micro turbojet engine, underscoring India’s advancing capabilities in autonomous defense technologies and propulsion systems.
Hyderabad: A Hyderabad-based aerospace company has made history by unveiling a jet-powered, fixed-wing kamikaze UAV, developed under its deep-tech brand ARROBOT, at the 55th International Paris Air Show.
Named the Astra 100, the UAV sets a new standard for autonomous combat drones in India. With a range of 200 km and speeds reaching up to 450 km/h, it is powered entirely by indigenous systems, including flight control, propulsion, and telemetry. The drone has successfully completed test trials earlier this year.
“We are building the future of autonomous warfare with 100% indigenous systems. The Astra 100 is proof of India’s readiness to lead in this space,” the company said in a press release on Wednesday.
This marks a significant milestone in India’s aerospace journey. Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group, a leader in high-precision manufacturing, also showcased its latest defense and propulsion technologies at the event. Among the highlights were indigenous micro turbojet engines and high-performance kamikaze drones, reinforcing the company’s growing global footprint and its commitment to India’s defense self-reliance.
To further solidify its position as a global aerospace player, Raghu Vamsi recently acquired WMT Precision LLC, a 40-year-old U.S.-based aerospace manufacturer based in Syracuse, renowned for producing fuel nozzles for companies like Collins, Parker, and Honeywell. This acquisition strengthens Raghu Vamsi’s capabilities in critical aero-engine components and establishes a stronger presence in the North American market.
Earlier this year, the group also acquired PMC Group (UK), marking its entry into the oil & gas sector. PMC Group specializes in high-performance nickel alloy components for surface, drilling, sub-sea, and wireline operations, broadening the company’s engineering portfolio beyond aerospace and defense.
India’s First 40 KGF Micro Turbojet Engine Unveiled
At the Paris Air Show, Raghu Vamsi Aerospace also revealed a fully indigenous 40 KGF micro turbojet engine, developed for UAVs and cruise missiles, representing a significant advancement in India’s propulsion technology. Successfully tested at the company’s Hyderabad facility in the presence of DRDO officials, this engine is part of a family of four engines (14, 19, 25, and 40 KGF), all designed and manufactured in India.
“This engine marks a historic leap in Indian aerospace propulsion. It’s the result of years of research, manufacturing precision, and a bold vision for self-reliant defense technologies,” said Vamsi Vikas, Managing Director of Raghu Vamsi Aerospace Group.
To support its expanding product range, the company is constructing a state-of-the-art 250,000 sq ft manufacturing facility at Hardware Park, Hyderabad. This facility will house specialized divisions for high-precision machining for global OEMs, sub-assemblies for missile systems, and final assembly for engines, UAVs, and unmanned ground vehicles.
Expected to be operational by early 2026, the facility will create over 1,000 high-skilled jobs, significantly enhancing India’s domestic aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
