Punjab 08 May 2025 : Under “Operation Sindoor,” India targeted terrorist hideouts in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK). A total of 9 targets were hit during this operation, and notably, the Indian Army for the first time used Loitering Munition Systems, i.e., kamikaze drones, on a large scale.
According to sources, the hero of this mission was the ‘Skystreaker,’ a suicide drone. It searches for enemy positions and explodes itself upon impact. This drone was not developed abroad but was jointly created by Bengaluru’s Alpha Design Technologies and Israel’s Elbit Systems. The Indian Army placed an order for more than 100 units of it in 2021, and now it has become one of the Army’s most lethal capabilities.
Talking about the key features of Loitering Munition, it has a striking range of up to 100 km, can carry warheads of 5 to 10 kg, operates with minimal sound, is electrically powered, and flies at low altitudes to avoid detection by the enemy. With the help of Loitering Munition Systems, the Indian Army can execute ‘sensor-to-shooter’ operations, meaning once the presence of the enemy is detected, an immediate attack can be launched. One of its advantages is that these drones not only target the enemy but also provide real-time intelligence to special forces and soldiers, enhancing their safety and effectiveness.
It is worth mentioning that a terrorist attack occurred in Pahalgam, Kashmir, on April 22, in which 26 tourists were killed. This action took place 15 days after the Pahalgam attack.
Summary: Operation Sindoor uncovers an Indian-developed drone intended for terrorist use. Learn about its creation and its role in the ongoing security operations.