Private defence manufacturer Nibe Limited successfully demonstrated its indigenously developed Garudastra 120mm vehicle-mounted mortar system to the Indian Army at the Infantry School in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, on June 17, 2026. The trial, conducted under a No Cost-No Commitment (NC-NC) evaluation, showcased the system’s shoot-and-scoot capability, high rate of fire, Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) feature, and precision strikes using GPS and laser-guided munitions. Garudastra represents a significant step in India’s push for self-reliance in advanced artillery and mortar systems under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
What Is the Garudastra Mortar System?
Garudastra is a 120mm calibre vehicle-mounted mortar system designed to provide rapid, mobile, and precise indirect fire support to infantry and mechanised forces on the battlefield. Unlike conventional towed mortars that require soldiers to manually set up the weapon on the ground, Garudastra is mounted on a lightweight 4x4 tactical vehicle, allowing it to move quickly between firing positions and engage targets with minimal preparation time.
The system can engage targets at ranges of 7 to 10 kilometres using both conventional and precision-guided ammunition. It carries a 17-kilogram penetrating warhead capable of defeating up to 20 centimetres of reinforced concrete, making it highly effective against bunkers, fortified positions, and hardened structures. The name Garudastra draws from Indian mythology, with Garuda being the divine eagle mount of Lord Vishnu and astra meaning weapon.
Key Capabilities Demonstrated at Mhow
The demonstration at the Infantry School, Mhow, tested Garudastra across multiple battlefield scenarios. The system was evaluated under a No Cost-No Commitment (NC-NC) arrangement, a standard defence procurement practice where the armed forces assess a system’s performance without any obligation to purchase. This allows the Army to validate capabilities before issuing formal tenders.
Shoot-and-Scoot Operations
In modern battlefields, mortar positions are highly vulnerable to detection by drones and counter-battery radars. Garudastra’s shoot-and-scoot capability directly addresses this threat. During the trial, the system moved into a temporary firing position and became combat-ready in under 30 seconds. It fired two rounds in less than 15 seconds and then displaced from the position within 15 seconds to evade simulated counter-battery fire. The system then relocated to its main firing position and re-engaged the target with the same accuracy.
High Rate of Fire and MRSI
Garudastra demonstrated an exceptional rate of fire, with a two-member crew launching 12 rounds in 60 seconds while maintaining consistent accuracy throughout the sequence. This rapid firing capability allows the system to deliver overwhelming firepower on enemy positions in a short time.
The system also successfully executed a Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) mission. In this technique, three rounds were fired along different trajectories with varying times of flight, yet all three struck the target at the same moment. MRSI allows a single mortar to deliver the effect of a full salvo on a target, maximising battlefield impact without requiring additional weapon platforms.
Precision-Guided Munitions
The highlight of the demonstration was the firing of a precision-guided munition using GPS and laser guidance. A round fired from long range scored a direct hit on a 3 metre by 3 metre target, demonstrating exceptional accuracy even at extended distances. This capability allows Garudastra to engage high-value targets such as command posts, radar installations, and fortified positions while minimising collateral damage.
Soft-Recoil Technology and Battlefield Integration
One of the key engineering features of Garudastra is its soft-recoil technology. In conventional mortars, the recoil force generated on firing is absorbed by a heavy baseplate and transferred to the ground, which limits the types of vehicles that can carry the weapon. Soft-recoil technology delays the ignition sequence until the barrel is moving forward, using the principle of conservation of momentum to significantly reduce the recoil force transmitted to the platform. This allows the 120mm mortar to be mounted on lightweight 4x4 tactical vehicles without requiring heavy stabilisation systems, improving mobility and reducing logistical burden.
Garudastra is designed for integration with C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence) systems and Battle Management Systems. This enables the mortar to receive real-time targeting data from drones, radars, and higher command networks. The system can rapidly adjust its aim based on live battlefield intelligence, making it effective against moving and concealed targets. Its compatibility with network-centric warfare doctrine allows it to function as a node in a connected battlefield architecture rather than an isolated weapon platform.
The system has a burst rate of fire of 12 to 16 rounds per minute and a sustained rate of 3 to 4 rounds per minute, giving commanders flexibility in tailoring fire missions to tactical requirements.
About Nibe Limited
Nibe Limited is a Pune-based defence and aerospace manufacturer listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). The company was originally founded as Kavita Fabrics Limited in 2005 and later diversified into engineering and defence manufacturing, being rebranded as Nibe Limited in 2020. It is led by Managing Director Ganesh Nibe.
The company has evolved into a diversified defence player with capabilities spanning artillery systems, rocket launchers, ammunition, missile subsystems, defence electronics, and small arms. Nibe’s product portfolio includes critical subsystems for major defence platforms such as the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher, the K9 Vajra self-propelled howitzer (hull and turret systems), the MRSAM (Medium Range Surface to Air Missile) launcher, BrahMos missile canisters, modular bridging systems for the Indian Army, and the recently tested Suryastra Universal Rocket Launcher System.
Nibe has state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Chakan, Pune, with additional facilities in Bengaluru, Shirdi, and Delhi. The company’s manufacturing capabilities include robotic welding, laser cutting, CNC machining, and missile assembly. Garudastra has been developed in technical collaboration with a foreign Original Equipment Manufacturer, identified as Israel-based Elbit Systems, which brings proven expertise in soft-recoil mortar systems through its battle-proven SPEAR and CARDOM platforms.
Significance for India’s Defence Modernisation
The successful demonstration of Garudastra comes at a time when the Indian Army is actively modernising its artillery and mortar capabilities. The Army has outlined a requirement for approximately 3,000 Vehicle-Mounted Infantry Mortar Systems (VMIMS) to replace legacy towed mortars and improve battlefield mobility. Garudastra positions itself as a strong indigenous contender in this procurement pipeline.
The trial also highlights the growing role of India’s private sector in defence manufacturing. India’s defence production reached approximately ₹1.51 lakh crore in FY 2024-25, with the private sector contributing about 23% of the output. Defence exports touched a record ₹38,424 crore in FY 2025-26, a 62.7% increase over the previous year. Companies like Nibe, alongside traditional public sector undertakings, are driving this transformation.
Garudastra’s development under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative reduces India’s dependence on imported mortar systems. Several key features of the system, including the soft-recoil mechanism and precision guidance, align with global trends in artillery modernisation. The ability to integrate with drones and C4I networks makes it suitable for network-centric warfare, where speed, accuracy, and situational awareness determine battlefield outcomes.
Key Takeaways
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Nibe Limited successfully demonstrated the Garudastra 120mm vehicle-mounted mortar system to the Indian Army at the Infantry School, Mhow, on June 17, 2026, under a No Cost-No Commitment (NC-NC) evaluation.
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Garudastra has an operational range of 7 to 10 kilometres and carries a 17-kilogram penetrating warhead that can defeat 20 centimetres of reinforced concrete.
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The system can be combat-ready in under 30 seconds, fire and displace in 15 seconds, and launch 12 rounds in 60 seconds with a two-member crew.
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The demonstration featured Multiple Rounds Simultaneous Impact (MRSI) capability, where three rounds on different trajectories struck the target simultaneously.
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A GPS and laser-guided precision munition scored a direct hit on a 3 metre by 3 metre target from long range.
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Garudastra uses soft-recoil technology to be mounted on lightweight 4x4 tactical vehicles and integrates with C4I and Battle Management Systems for network-centric operations.
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Nibe Limited, founded in 2005 and rebranded in 2020, is a Pune-based defence manufacturer led by Managing Director Ganesh Nibe, with products including subsystems for Pinaka, K9 Vajra, MRSAM, and BrahMos platforms.
