Indian Army Orders Over 100 Explosives-Laden 'Suicide' Drones Under Its Emergency Procurement Powers

In a big boost for the capabilities of the Indian Army, the force has signed a contract to procure over 100 armed drones called "SkyStrikers" from Bengaluru-headquartered Alpha Design-led joint venture (JV) with the Israel's Elbit Security Systems (ELSEC), reports Economic Times.

The procurement of drones would also come as a boost for the government's Make in India and indigenisation push in the defence sector as the drones would be manufactured in Bengaluru.

The Indian Army has placed orders for the said drones under its emergency procurement powers and the contract was signed on Wednesday (1 September).

As per the information on ELSEC's website, SkyStriker is a cost-efficient loitering munition that is capable of long-range precise tactical strikes. The drone betters the situational awareness, survivability and performance by allowing special forces and manoeuvrable troops to harness its direct-fire aerial-precision capabilities.

Skystriker's electric propulsion offers a minimal acoustic signature, allowing covert operations at low altitude operations.

It is also referred to as suicide drone as it crashes into the target with explosives.

Chairman and managing director of Alpha Design Col (retd) HS Shankar said, "Location details (GPS) will be loaded onto the drone before launch. Upon launching, it will hover around the area, pick up the target, relay the information back to ground control equipment and strike only after getting clearance."