When the Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor in response to the barbaric Pahalgam terror massacre, it wasn’t just brute firepower that defined the retaliation — it was precision, stealth, and tech supremacy. At the heart of India’s cutting-edge strike package was the Israeli-made IAI Harpy — a loitering munition, often called a “kamikaze drone”, capable of autonomously hunting, identifying, and destroying targets with pinpoint accuracy.
India's deployment of Harpy drones against high-value terrorist targets and radar installations across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) marks a new era in its cross-border counter-terror strategy.
What is the Harpy Drone?
Developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the Harpy is a loitering munition — a hybrid between a drone and a missile. Unlike conventional UAVs, Harop drones do not return after releasing payloads; instead, they are the payload.
The Harpy is designed to attack radar systems and is optimised for the suppression of enemy air defences (SEAD) role. It carries a high-explosive warhead. Equipped with an Anti-Radiation (AR) seeker, HARPY can autonomously seek and strike emitting, high-value targets. The HARPY operates in deep strike missions lasting up to 9 hours, day and night, in all weather conditions, and in Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS)-denied or contested battlefields.
Key Specs of Harpy Drone:
- Range: Approx. 1000 km
- Endurance: Up to 9 hours of loitering, day and night, in all weather conditions
- Speed: 185 km/h (cruise)
- Warhead: 23 kg high explosive
- Targeting: Electro-optical sensors + anti-radiation seeker
- Navigation: Fully autonomous or operator-controlled
The drone can fly silently, scout an area, lock onto a signal-emitting radar or visual target, and then dive into it with deadly precision — making it ideal for targeting hidden terror infrastructure and radar arrays.
Role of Harop Drones in Operation Sindoor
Harpy drones were used to strike terror hideouts in Muzaffarabad, Kotli, and Kahuta. Indian military sources indicated that the drones were deployed to avoid civilian collateral and deliver focused damage to structures used by terror groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
Harpys were particularly useful in conducting night strikes thanks to their low radar signature and autonomous navigation. Pakistani radars failed to detect or intercept several inbound Harpy drones during the first wave of strikes.
Why Harpy Was the Ideal Choice
India had a range of tactical options in its arsenal — from BrahMos cruise missiles to Rafale-launched SCALP precision weapons. Yet Harpys offered a uniquely suitable solution for the Operation Sindoor objectives:
Stealth and Surprise: Harpys can loiter at high altitudes, visually scan targets and strike silently. Pinpoint Accuracy: Their ability to visually identify targets before diving in reduces collateral damage. Cost-Effectiveness: Far cheaper than deploying manned aircraft for deep strikes. Risk-Free Engagement: No pilot involvement means zero risk of human casualties or capture.
India is now working on indigenous loitering munition programs under DRDO’s umbrella, inspired by the Harpy's battlefield success. The ALFA-S swarming drones and CATS Warrior projects aim to integrate AI and swarm coordination into the next generation of combat UAVs.
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