In a significant boost to India’s defence self-reliance efforts, Lucknow-based Kawa UAV Pvt. Ltd., operating as HoverIt, has successfully conducted the maiden flight of the Divyastra Mk3, a next-generation jet-powered loitering munition. The test took place on August 11, with the company announcing the achievement today.
Keywords: Divyastra Mk3, Kawa UAV HoverIt, indigenous jet-powered loitering munition, Atmanirbhar Bharat defence, DG Propulsion engine, Indian loitering munition, Make in India UAV
The Divyastra Mk3 stands out as India’s first 100 percent domestically developed jet-powered drone of its kind. Every critical element, Indian airframe, jet engine supplied by DG Propulsion, on-board autonomy systems, and firepower, has been sourced and engineered within the country. The project moved from conception to successful flight in under a year, underscoring the growing maturity of India’s private defence ecosystem.
Company cofounders described the flight in clear terms: “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.” The firm highlighted the achievement with the phrase “Indian airframe, Indian jet engine, Indian autonomy, Indian firepower,” pointing to faster and smarter strike capabilities now available without foreign dependence.
Defence observers have noted the rapid development timeline and the fully indigenous supply chain as particularly noteworthy. While detailed performance specifications remain confidential pending further company disclosure, the platform is designed as a precision strike system capable of loitering over target areas before engaging. DG Propulsion’s contribution of an indigenous 40 kgf-class jet engine removes one of the traditional bottlenecks in Indian unmanned systems development.
The Divyastra series already includes earlier variants focused on tactical and longer-range roles. The successful flight of the jet-powered Mk3 expands the envelope toward higher-speed, more responsive munitions that can complement existing Indian inventory. Industry watchers see the milestone as evidence that private startups, working alongside specialised propulsion firms, are accelerating the shift away from imported platforms.
As India continues to prioritise indigenous solutions under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the Divyastra Mk3 represents a concrete step toward operational autonomy in the precision-strike domain. Further trials and user evaluations will determine the system’s path to induction, but the initial flight has already marked a clear technological advance.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.
