IG Defence fires solid rocket motors in test of indigenous JWALA micro-missile

IG Defence announced that it had successfully test-fired two solid-rocket motors for its JWALA micro-missile programme in an early-morning trial, a milestone for the company’s first private-sector hard-kill counter-UAS interceptor. JWALA is envisioned as a short-range surface-to-air missile capable of engaging UAVs at 2-5 km and altitudes from 50 m to 5,000 m, providing a kinetic option to complement electronic and conventional air-defence systems.

The firm highlighted that the propulsion test validates a critical component of the compact interceptor and moves the project toward greater maturity, reliability and scalable manufacturing. JWALA will be integrated into IG Defence’s GRID ecosystem, an AI-powered command-and-control framework that links sensors, decision-making and effectors to autonomously execute authorised counter-drone missions. The company has also demonstrated the T-SHUL BEAM soft-kill system at the Indian Air Force’s Dronathon 2026, underscoring a broader push for layered, affordable counter-UAS solutions. The programme aligns with recent Indian policy encouraging private companies to produce missile technologies transferred from DRDO, as the defence sector’s private share reached about 24 % in 2025-26.