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News18
15-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Made In Bengaluru, Rained Fire In Pakistan: Sneak Peek Into India's Sky Striker Drone
Last Updated: The 'silent killer', as it's popularly called, is an armed UAV that is battery operated, virtually soundless, boasts an endurance of 1-3 hours and can carry a payload of 5-10 kgs A silent revolution in warfare unfolded during Operation Sindoor, with a Bengaluru-born drone playing a pivotal role in dismantling terror infrastructure across the border. The 'Sky Striker', a lethal loitering munition manufactured by Alpha Design Technologies in collaboration with Israel's Elbit Security Systems, was deployed for the first time, showcasing India's growing prowess in technology-driven warfare. Tucked away in Bengaluru's Peenya Industrial Area, Alpha Design's facility has been quietly contributing to India's defence capabilities. The Sky Striker, already battle-tested in conflicts like the Israel-Palestine clashes and the Armenia-Azerbaijan skirmishes, was finally unleashed by the Indian armed forces, who had placed an order for 100 units back in 2021 following the Balakot strike. The 'silent killer", as it's popularly called, is an armed UAV that is battery operated and virtually soundless. It boasts an endurance of 1-3 hours and can carry a payload of 5-10 kgs, operating within a range of 80-100 km. 'Once launched, it has an electro-optic payload. So, it takes the input of the target and relates to the ground control system. The target location can be pinpointed and the attack launched," explained Chief Operating Officer Raghavendra Aroor. He added that the drone can also strike pre-fed GPS coordinates and remarkably, can be retrieved and reused, thanks to a parachute and airbag system. Highlighting its precision, Alpha Design CEO Hari Prasad stated, 'Its accuracy is one of the very good strong points. We are talking about a one-metre accuracy, high precision drone… It's a very, very powerful system with roughly about 5-10 kgs payload." Evading Radar: The Silent Threat The Sky Striker's effectiveness is amplified by its ability to evade radar detection. 'Firstly, the radar cross-section of this particular system is very, very minimal," revealed Aroor, showcasing a 1:1 scale model. He further elaborated that its low-level flight and battery operation contribute to its near invisibility on radar. 'If it is operated at night, the moment it picks up the target, it dives at such a fast rate that nobody can track it. So, that's why its success rate is almost 100 per cent." Lethal Precision Hari Prasad emphasised the drone's deadly dive capabilities. 'As it gets close to the target, it can have a very steep dive angle and the terminal velocity is very, very high. So, that makes even interception very difficult." Operation Sindoor underscored the effectiveness of indigenous defence technology, including the Sky Striker, Akash Teer, and Brahmos missiles. 'It has been produced in India for about three plus years now… and we have the full technology to produce a complete product in India," Prasad affirmed, highlighting their manufacturing hubs in Bengaluru and Hyderabad. Strong Growth for Alpha Design Alpha Design Technologies, a key collaborator with the Indian armed forces, is witnessing significant growth. CFO Ramesh M said the company is projected to close FY 24-25 with a revenue of approximately Rs 1050 crore and a strong order book of Rs 8,000-Rs 10,000 crore, with expectations of adding another Rs 10,000 crore in the next fiscal year. The company boasts over 1,100 employees across various locations in India. The successful deployment of the Sky Striker underscores the growing strength of India's defence manufacturing ecosystem, fueled by the 'Make in India' initiative. From initial roles as offset partners, Indian companies are now independently designing, developing, and manufacturing sophisticated defence equipment, paving the way for a self-reliant future in the sector. First Published: May 15, 2025, 14:15 IST
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First Post
14-05-2025
- Business
- First Post
How Operation Sindoor showcased India's defence manufacturing to the world
Operation Sindoor has given an alpha opportunity to Indian defence manufacturing. Indian defence attachés must now capitalise on its success to boost exports, particularly to clients like Armenia and the Philippines read more The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, an Indo-Russian joint venture launched from land and air, obliterated terrorist infrastructure during Op Sindoor, leaving adversaries little time to react. Image: Wikimedia Commons A major takeaway from Operation Sindoor was its showcasing of India's burgeoning indigenous defence capabilities under the 'Make in India' initiative. From drones to missiles and air defence systems, homegrown technologies worked while China's weapons failed the test. This is an alpha opportunity for Indian defence manufacturing. India exported a record Rs 23,000 crore worth of weapons in 2024; that record will be shattered this year. The Drones Take Flight India's domestically produced drones were instrumental in Operation Sindoor, blending surveillance with lethal precision. Models like the Nagastra-1 and SkyStriker are the examples, the latter, a product of collaboration between Bengaluru-based Alpha Design and Israel's Elbit Security Systems, reportedly stood out. New war is death by loiter, and India has the manufacturing base to make them in large numbers. With combat success, it's when, not if, that India will innovate with swarm drones and next-generation loitering ammunition. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD BrahMos Packs a Punch The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, an Indo-Russian joint venture launched from land and air, obliterated terrorist infrastructure, leaving adversaries little time to react. Its supersonic versatility across platforms reinforces India's offensive reach. Beyond the battlefield, Op Sindoor turned the missile into a billboard for India's defence export ambitions. Akash Shields the Skies India proved one capability beyond doubt: that it can rope a dope. With the Russian S400 as the blocking defence, the indigenous Akash SAM was the ace parrying. India disabled a ballistic missile, stopped unguided rockets, downed fighter jets, and targeted multiple UAVs and loitering ammunition, all in the same theatre. Its multi-target engagement capability proved its worth in a layered defence grid. Battle-tested in Sindoor, the system's appeal has surged among existing and potential like Armenia, with potential interest from Brazil, Vietnam and Africa. Munitions: The Backbone of Resilience India's munition production capabilities emerged as a quiet powerhouse during Operation Sindoor. The ability to churn out everything from artillery shells to advanced missiles—such as the Pinaka rocket launcher, capable of firing 72 rockets in 44 seconds—ensured uninterrupted supply lines. Put differently, industrial depth positions India as a reliable player in the global arms market, where sustained supply is as critical as firepower. Already India is emerging as one of the fastest exporters of different calibres of munitions, including the US as a client. What India needs is focus on a few over-fragmentation. Yet, India must refine its strategy by prioritising a select few defence systems rather than scattering resources across numerous projects. The BrahMos and Akash successes highlight the value of focused investment—deep expertise, faster development, and economies of scale. A shortlist of high-impact systems, like next-generation drones or hypersonic missiles, could elevate India's military edge and export potential. Incentives are needed upfront, and on a scale, cheaper loans and tax breaks for R&D must be done urgently. Bigger domestic orders and further streamlined procurement will give critical mass. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Attachés as Ambassadors Indian defence attachés must now capitalise on Op Sindoor's success to boost exports, particularly to clients like Armenia and the Philippines. Armenia, already using Akash and Pinaka systems, could expand its orders, while the Philippines might deepen its BrahMos commitment. Attachés should pitch comprehensive packages—hardware, training, and maintenance—to appeal to cost-conscious buyers. War Reserves Advantage Domestic capacity also grants India a critical edge in war wastage reserves. Unlike import-reliant nations, India's ability to stockpile weapons increases by a massive margin, allowing it to fight better and longer. India must allocate at least 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence; this is no longer optional—it's imperative. This isn't a zero-sum choice between guns and butter; a strong military underpins economic stability. As Op Sindoor proved, 'Make in India' delivers both security and prosperity, but only sustained investment can secure this dual dividend in an increasingly unstable world. The writer is a senior journalist with expertise in defence. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
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Business Standard
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Made-in-Bengaluru SkyStriker UAVs deployed in Operation Sindoor
SkyStriker drones were reportedly deployed as part of Operation Sindoor, a 25-minute 'measured and non-escalatory' Indian armed forces operation targeting nine terrorist camps across Pakistan's Punjab province and Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK), according to a report by The Times of India. The joint land and air operation marked India's first strike in Pakistan's Punjab since the 1971 war. The French 'SCALP' air-launched cruise missile, the French 'HAMMER' smart air-to-surface stand-off weapon, and other systems were also deployed during the strikes. An undisclosed number of these suicide drones were produced at a manufacturing facility in western Bengaluru through a collaborative partnership between Alpha Design, based in Bengaluru, and Elbit Security Systems of Israel. The Indian Army placed an urgent procurement order for approximately 100 SkyStriker units in 2021, the report stated. What is the SkyStriker? According to Elbit, the SkyStriker flies like an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) and strikes like a missile. It is classified as a loitering munition (LM) designed for long-range, precision tactical strikes. The SkyStriker has a low acoustic signature, enabling stealthy, low-altitude missions. Powered by electric propulsion, it can identify, track and engage operator-designated targets using a 5 or 10 kg warhead housed within its fuselage. What are loitering munitions? Loitering munitions are also known as suicide drones, kamikaze drones or exploding drones. These unmanned aerial vehicles are built to remain over a target zone, detect threats and strike them with precision. Unlike conventional missiles, these systems can delay engagement until the ideal moment, minimising the likelihood of collateral damage. India's response to Pahalgam attack The operation followed the April 22 terror strike in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians, primarily tourists. The mission targeted nine specific sites linked to the planning and coordination of cross-border attacks on Indian soil. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the operation as India's exercise of its 'Right to Respond' to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam. Over 200 flights cancelled, 18 airports shut temporarily Over 200 flights have been cancelled and at least 18 airports in northern and western India temporarily shut following airspace restrictions imposed after India's precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoJK. Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and some foreign carriers cancelled services to and from multiple airports.
