HoverIT's DIVYASTRA MK-1 Loitering munition

Lucknow-based Kawa UAV Pvt. Ltd. (HoverIt) has expanded its production footprint to nearly 55,000 sq ft within the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor and achieved a landmark with the successful testing of DIVYASTRA MK-3, India’s first fully indigenous jet-powered loitering munition powered by DG Propulsion’s domestic engine.

This marks a decisive step in India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat mission and positions HoverIt as a key player in advanced autonomous strike systems.

Kawa UAV Pvt. Ltd., operating as HoverIt, is scaling up its facilities in Lucknow. The company is setting up an expanded manufacturing area of approximately 55,000 sq ft within the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor.

This expansion is designed to support the transition from tactical surveillance platforms to advanced, swarm-enabled autonomous strike systems and loitering munitions.

The DIVYASTRA series represents the company’s most significant innovation. Earlier variants such as the DIVYASTRA MK-1 provided propeller-driven endurance capabilities. The newly tested DIVYASTRA MK-3, however, is jet-powered and marks the first time India has flown a fully indigenous loitering munition with no imported jet engine or foreign critical subsystem.

The aircraft took to the skies on 11 August 2026, powered by a turbojet developed entirely by DG Propulsion. The engine met all operational parameters during trials, validating India’s growing aerospace propulsion capabilities.

The DIVYASTRA MK-3 program was initiated at the beginning of 2026 and reached its maiden flight within a single calendar year. This rapid execution timeline underscores the maturity of India’s defence start-up ecosystem.

HoverIt’s co-founders described the achievement as not merely a test flight but a declaration of intent, demonstrating India’s ability to conceive, engineer, and fly a jet-powered precision strike system entirely within its own borders

The DIVYASTRA MK-3 incorporates advanced autonomous flight control, AI-enabled target engagement, and long-range precision strike performance. Its design allows for modular payloads, including electro-optical sensors, communication relays, and precision warheads.

These features enable rapid penetration of contested airspace and swarm-based saturation attacks against enemy defences. The system is optimised for speed, survivability, and precision, bridging the gap between traditional cruise missiles and tactical UAVs.

HoverIt’s expansion within the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor reflects the supportive policy environment created by the Government of India and the Government of Uttar Pradesh. The corridor provides infrastructure and institutional backing for indigenous defence manufacturing.

HoverIt has expressed gratitude for these policies, noting that they have enabled start-ups to deliver globally competitive systems at pace.

The successful flight of DIVYASTRA MK-3 aligns with India’s broader push for self-reliance in defence technology. It complements parallel developments such as DRDO’s trials of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3, which validated air-to-ground and air-to-air roles using advanced Ground Control Systems.

Together, these achievements highlight the synergy between private industry and public institutions in advancing indigenous defence capabilities.

The DIVYASTRA MK-3 is expected to undergo further validation trials before induction into service. Once operational, it will provide commanders with versatile options for surveillance, precision strikes, and autonomous swarm operations. Its affordability, scalability, and indigenous design make it a transformative asset in India’s evolving drone warfare doctrine.

Agencies