- Views: 119
- Replies: 1
India's armed forces recently executed "Operation Sindoor," a targeted action against terrorist infrastructure, where domestically manufactured SkyStriker drones played a significant role, underscoring the nation's advancing combat and surveillance prowess.
The operation, described as a "measured and non-escalatory" 25-minute joint land and air mission, reportedly struck nine terrorist camps across Pakistan’s Punjab province and Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK), according to media reports citing official sources.
This marked a significant military action, noted as India’s first strike in Pakistan’s Punjab region since the 1971 conflict.
Alongside the SkyStriker loitering munitions, the operation also saw the deployment of sophisticated weaponry including the French-made SCALP air-launched cruise missile, known for its deep-strike capabilities, and the HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) smart air-to-surface weapon, a precision-guided munition.
Other unspecified systems were also part of the coordinated strikes.
The SkyStriker drones, a type of "suicide drone," were produced in a facility in western Bengaluru. This was the result of a collaborative venture between the Bengaluru-based Alpha Design Technologies and Israel's Elbit Security Systems, reflecting a key aspect of the 'Make in India' initiative in the defence sector.
Reports indicate that the Indian Army had placed an urgent order for approximately 100 SkyStriker units in 2021. Sources confirmed that an unspecified number of these drones, capable of carrying a 5-10kg warhead and having a range of up to 100km, were utilized in Operation Sindoor.
Understanding the SkyStriker and Loitering Munitions
The SkyStriker, as described by its manufacturer Elbit Systems, combines the operational characteristics of an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) with the strike power of a missile. It is classified as a loitering munition (LM), specifically engineered for long-range, precise tactical engagements.A key feature of the SkyStriker is its low acoustic signature, facilitated by electric propulsion, which allows for stealthy operations at low altitudes.
The system is designed to autonomously locate, track, and engage targets designated by an operator, delivering its warhead with high accuracy. It can reportedly loiter for up to two hours with a 5kg warhead.
Loitering munitions, often referred to as kamikaze or suicide drones, are a class of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designed to stay airborne over a target area for an extended period.
They can survey the area, detect enemy threats, and then conduct a precision strike. Unlike traditional missiles that follow a direct trajectory, loitering munitions offer the advantage of delaying an attack until the most opportune moment, which can be crucial in identifying specific targets and minimising collateral damage.
Their increasing use in modern warfare highlights a shift towards more precise and adaptable aerial strike capabilities.
Context: Response to Pahalgam Attack
Operation Sindoor was reportedly undertaken in response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which resulted in the tragic loss of 26 civilian lives, predominantly tourists.The operation aimed at nine specific locations believed to be involved in the planning and execution of cross-border terrorist activities against India. India's Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, characterized the operation as India exercising its "Right to Respond" to the provocative attack in Pahalgam.
