Guwahati News Desk: Under the emergency procurement powers, the Indian Army signed a contract to procure more than 100 explosive-laden ‘SkyStriker’ drones, on Wednesday.
The procurement of the SkyStriker drones is assumed to be a big boost to India’s drone arsenal, which could not only prevent any future attacks but could also capably carry out air strikes similar to Balakot.
In addition, the Bengaluru-headquartered Alpha Design-led joint venture (JV) with Israeli firm Elbit Security Systems (ELSEC) would make and supply the SkyStrikers.
Col. (retd.) H.S. Shankar, CMD, Alpha Design, 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.”
He added that ground control also had the power to change targets after the launch and they could also call it back, if a mission had to be aborted.
Regarding a SkyStriker, it is an unmanned aircraft system that can acquire and strike operator-designated targets with a warhead installed in the fuselage. The drones are capable of mass destruction and can carry ammunition atop them and can strike targets from far off distances.
In addition, the SkyStriker has also been described as a cost-effective loitering munition that is capable of long-range precise tactical strikes, that can reach a distance of 20 kms within 10 minutes.
Moreover, it has also been referred to as a ‘suicide drone’ as it crashes into the target with explosives.
Furthermore, a SkyStriker is enabled with latest technology and has the power to provide direct-fire aerial-precision capabilities, which can surely improve performance, situational awareness and survivability of the troops and Special Forces.
