Bengaluru-Built SkyStriker Drones Prove Pivotal in Operation Sindoor Strikes

New Delhi, May 8, 2025 — Bengaluru-manufactured SkyStriker suicide drones emerged as a cornerstone of India’s Operation Sindoor, a series of precision airstrikes conducted on May 7, 2025, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. The operation, a response to the deadly April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, marked the combat debut of these advanced loitering munitions, highlighting India’s growing prowess in indigenous defense technology.

Developed through a collaboration between Bengaluru-based Alpha Design Technologies and Israel’s Elbit Systems, the SkyStriker drones were procured by the Indian Army in 2021 to bolster its counterterrorism capabilities. These compact, electrically powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) boast a 100-kilometer range and can carry 5-10 kg warheads. Equipped with high-resolution cameras, thermal imaging, and GPS navigation, they are designed to loiter over target areas, gather real-time intelligence, and execute precise strikes with minimal collateral damage.

In Operation Sindoor, the Indian Armed Forces deployed SkyStriker drones to neutralize terrorist strongholds, including facilities linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba in Muridke. Operating from Indian territory, the drones delivered pinpoint strikes on bunkers, arms caches, and command centers, guided by intelligence from the National Technical Research Organisation. Their stealthy, low-altitude flight paths evaded detection, ensuring mission success while adhering to India’s stated goal of avoiding escalation by sparing Pakistani military targets.

A defense official, speaking anonymously, praised the drones’ versatility: “The SkyStriker’s ability to hover, assess, and strike with surgical accuracy gives India a tactical edge in rapid-response operations.” The operation, which also involved Rafale jets deploying SCALP missiles, neutralized dozens of terrorists across nine locations, including Muzaffarabad and Sialkot, according to government statements. Pakistan reported civilian casualties and vowed retaliation, escalating tensions along the Line of Control.

Bengaluru’s role as a hub for defense innovation was thrust into the spotlight, with the SkyStriker’s performance reinforcing the success of India’s “Make in India” initiative. The drones, assembled in Bengaluru’s industrial belt, exemplify the potential of public-private partnerships in strengthening national security. As India braces for potential Pakistani reprisals, the SkyStriker’s battlefield success signals a new chapter in its defense strategy, blending cutting-edge technology with strategic restraint.

Sources: Information compiled from government statements, defense briefings, and industry insights reported by Reuters, BBC, and The Indian Express.