Nibe Suryastra rocket tests validate 300 km in 2026

What happened at Chandipur

Pune-based Nibe Limited said it successfully carried out firing demonstrations of its Suryastra long-range rockets at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha. The trials involved two variants with strike ranges of 150 km and 300 km. The company and defence officials described the results as meeting mission objectives with high precision. The tests were conducted in full operational configuration from the ITR facility at Chandipur-on-Sea. Nibe linked the demonstrations to India’s wider push to strengthen indigenous defence capabilities under programmes such as Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Two ranges, two accuracy figures

Nibe reported a Circular Error Probable (CEP) of around 1.5 metres for the 150 km rocket and nearly 2 metres for the 300 km rocket. CEP is a standard military parameter used to measure strike precision. Officials said both rockets achieved highly accurate strikes during testing. The company said the trials validated Suryastra’s long-range precision strike capability. The firing demonstrations were positioned as a technical milestone for Nibe’s rocket artillery development.

Test schedule: May 18 and May 19

According to the information shared, the consecutive trials were conducted on May 18 and May 19, 2026. Defence officials said multiple rounds of the domestically manufactured rockets were test-fired across the two days. The trials were described as being conducted on Monday and Tuesday, with details reported on Wednesday. Nibe said the system demonstrated accuracy across short-, medium- and long-range engagements during the test campaign.

System details: universal launcher and “shoot-and-scoot”

The weapon system referenced in the updates is the Suryastra universal rocket launcher. It is described as India’s first indigenous, universal multi-calibre rocket launcher system designed for precision surface-to-surface deep strikes against hostile targets. The platform is built on an all-terrain tactical truck chassis. It is also described as having “shoot-and-scoot” capability, enabling it to fire a salvo and relocate to reduce exposure to counter-battery fire.

Collaboration and rocket types mentioned

One update said the Suryastra universal rocket launcher system was developed in collaboration with Israeli defence major Elbit Systems and domestically manufactured by Nibe Limited. Another report referred to the firing demonstration of the EXTRA and Predator Hawk “Suryastra” rockets of 150 km and 300 km range, respectively. The demonstrations were conducted at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha. Beyond these details, the material focused primarily on the ranges tested and the accuracy achieved.

Indian Army procurement context

Nibe said the demonstration was conducted as part of a procurement order placed by the Indian Army. The updates described this as being under an emergency procurement programme, signalling growing confidence in private Indian firms developing advanced weapons systems. In January 2026, the Indian Army signed a contract valued at ₹292.69 crore (about $11 million) with Nibe Limited under emergency procurement powers. The contract covers the supply of an advanced long-range rocket launcher system with strike capabilities of 150 km and 300 km. The supply is planned to be delivered in tranches within one year.

Stock market reaction to the test news

Following the development, Nibe’s shares rose in trade on Tuesday. The stock was reported at Rs 1,148.60, up Rs 39.90 or 3.60 percent, at 11:51 am IST. A separate market snapshot in the provided material showed NIBE at 1,329.30, up 154.70 (13.17%), alongside a table of historical returns. The historical returns table listed: 1 Day +13.17%, 5 Days +31.47%, 1 Month +25.05%, 6 Months +20.80%, 1 Year -20.58%, and 5 Years -16.55%. These figures were presented as market data points accompanying the test-firing updates.

Key facts at a glance

Why this matters for India’s private defence manufacturing

The update underscores the role of private sector firms in India’s domestic defence manufacturing pipeline. The Indian Army’s emergency procurement order and subsequent test activity show how operational requirements can accelerate development and validation cycles. The stated accuracy figures, particularly at 300 km, were highlighted as evidence of long-range precision strike capability. From an industry perspective, the event also reflects the increasing presence of Indian listed manufacturers in strategic programmes, with collaborations and domestic production being emphasised.

What to watch next

Nibe’s updates indicated that successful demonstration trials have been completed for the two long-range rocket variants. The next developments to track, based on what is already disclosed, are the contract execution and tranche-wise supply within the one-year timeline referenced for the January 2026 order. Any further official communication would likely relate to delivery milestones for the launcher system and the dedicated long-range rockets covered under the emergency procurement contract.