Tech Desk: The Indian Army has dramatically showcased the cutting-edge precision of its SkyStriker loitering munition during the joint Yudh Abhyas 2026 military exercise with US Forces. Executing a flawless strike at Rajasthan’s Mahajan Field Firing Range, this unmanned system proved its formidable capability to detect, track, and destroy targets in a simulated combat scenario, signaling a significant leap in India’s modern warfare readiness.

Often termed a “suicide drone,” the SkyStriker is a sophisticated loitering munition blending surveillance with lethal strike power. Originally designed by Israel’s Elbit Systems, it’s now manufactured in Bengaluru through a joint venture with Alpha Design Technologies, an Adani Group subsidiary. The Indian Army acquired approximately 100 units in 2021, recognizing its immediate tactical value.

Powered by an electric engine, the SkyStriker boasts minimal acoustic and thermal signatures, making it exceptionally difficult to detect. It can cover up to 100 kilometers, reaching 20 kilometers in just 10 minutes post-launch. Operators can equip it with a 5-kilogram warhead for two hours of loitering or a 10-kilogram warhead for one hour, depending on mission needs.

Target acquisition is handled by an advanced gimballed dual charge-coupled device (CCD) and an infrared seeker. Once locked, the SkyStriker dives at blistering speeds of up to 300 knots. Crucially, its “man-in-the-loop” system allows operators to abort an attack mere seconds before impact, with the drone capable of re-engaging or safely landing via parachute. This system proved its mettle in May 2025 during Operation Sindoor, successfully neutralizing terrorist infrastructure.