How Bengaluru-built drones ‘SkyStrikers’ played key role in Operation Sindoor
A joint venture between the Bengaluru-based Alpha Design Technologies and Elbit Systems of Israel manufactures these ‘silent, invisible, surprise attackers’
Drones manufactured in Bengaluru played an important part in Operation Sindoor, the high-precision anti-terror strikes carried out by the Indian military on Wednesday (May 7).
These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), branded as SkyStrikers, were manufactured in an industrial estate in western Bengaluru, according to a report in The Times of India.
Joint venture
The company behind these technologically advanced is a joint venture between Bengaluru-headquartered Alpha Design Technologies and Elbit Systems of Israel.
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The Indian Army had reportedly placed an emergency procurement order for more than 100 SkyStrikers in 2021 in anticipation of evolving combat strategies after the Balakot surgical strike.
The 'SkyStriker'
Each SkyStriker drone is said to be equipped with a 5 kg or 10 kg warhead and has a range of up to 100 km. The uniqueness of drones is that they hover over the area, locate the intended target, and then destroy the target with the onboard explosives.
These drones have an electric propulsion system that ensures they make minimal noise, and can therefore be used to carry out covert operations flying at low altitudes.
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The inbuilt navigation and precision-guidance system enables them to strike like a missile while being more difficult to intercept or detect.
Next-gen weapon
The SkyStrikers are next-gen weapons that are not only said to be cost-effective but also improve the accuracy of special forces operations in enemy territory.
The drones make it possible for the military to carry out aerial attacks on high-value targets without risking human lives.
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‘Invisible attacker’
The Israeli company Elbit Systems calls it a “silent, invisible, and surprise attacker”.
“The SkyStriker delivers the utmost in precision and reliability, offering a critical edge in modern warfare,” said Elbit Systems.
The company says the drone behaves like a UAV but strikes with the precision and surprise of a missile.