During the late-night hours between Tuesday and Wednesday, India executed ‘Operation Sindoor’, deploying SkyStriker kamikaze drones — domestically produced in Bengaluru — to target and eliminate terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
Defence insiders in Delhi confirmed the strategic use of SkyStriker drones in the operation. These precision drones are developed by Alpha Design Technologies, a Bengaluru-based firm operating in collaboration with Israel’s Elbit Systems. Notably, Adani Defence Systems and Technologies holds a 26% stake in Alpha.
Although Alpha’s Chief Managing Director, Col (retd) H S Shankar, declined media interaction due to Defence Ministry restrictions, his past credentials include overseeing Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) development while serving at Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
The Indian Army had procured 100 SkyStrikers in 2021, and the drones were showcased during Aero India 2021. The exact number used in this mission remains classified.
The SkyStriker is a loitering munition capable of silent and stealthy tactical strikes. Engineered by Elbit Systems, it’s designed for deep-penetration missions, capable of carrying a warhead of up to 10 kg. According to Elbit, the system enables high-accuracy aerial attacks, boosting operational efficiency and troop safety in real-time battle conditions.
These drones provide elite forces and mobile units with a significant tactical edge, combining long-range targeting, silence, and precision in high-threat zones.
As geopolitical tensions rise, Operation Sindoor marks a bold demonstration of India’s evolving indigenous defence capabilities and strategic autonomy.
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