ODISHA, INDIA – In a remarkable twist of fate, fishermen operating off the coast of Odisha, India, stumbled upon a surprising catch – a Shikra Target Drone. This unexpected discovery offers a rare glimpse into the nation's secretive military testing activities and the advanced technology used in its weapons systems.
Manufactured through a collaboration between QinetiQ Target Systems Ltd and its Indian partner, Anadrone Systems Private Limited, the Shikra Target Drone is a sophisticated unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) specially designed for aerial target practice.
It plays a critical role in testing and refining the effectiveness of India's air-to-air and surface-to-air missile systems, ensuring the nation's defence capabilities remain sharp.
Close examination identified the recovered drone as a Banshee Jet 40+ model. Powered by a robust 40 kg thrust gas turbine engine, the Banshee Jet 40+ is renowned for its agility and speed, capable of reaching up to 140 m/s in straight and level flight.
This incident highlights the potential for military testing exercises to have unexpected interactions with civilian activities. While the Indian defence forces likely have procedures in place for recovering lost equipment, this 'catch' by local fishermen offers a unique perspective on the technologically advanced tools employed in safeguarding the nation.
