How India used Israel-made 'Harop' drones to hit Pakistan's Lahore

 

Pakistan has claimed that it intercepted 12 Indian drones in the early hours of Thursday during Operation Sindoor, which saw India launch air strikes at nine terror sites in Pakistan. However, what drew eyeballs was the statement that the drones were Israeli-made suicide 'Harop drones'.

According to Pakistani officials, Harop drones were shot down in various locations, including near major urban centres like Karachi and Lahore. "Debris is being collected from all impact sites, including within Karachi and Lahore city limits," the Pakistan military spokesperson told reporters in a press conference. "We are neutralising them one by one," he added.

Though Pakistani officials have not yet produced any evidence for their claim, India later confirmed that its drones targeted Lahore., But the PIB said the footage doing rounds on Pakistani social media was an old image claiming that the Pakistan Army had intercepted a UAV drone that fell in Gujranwala, Pakistan.

However, the news of Pakistan's allegations has been taken up by Israeli media, which stressed Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar's statement that Israel supports India’s right to self-defence and New Delhi knows it can rely on Jerusalem.

What is Harop drone?

Harop is a suicide drone, which is technically called a loitering munition. The Harop combines the capabilities of an UAV and a precision-guided missile and has a maximum flight range of 200 kilometres. It can hover over hostile territory, identify targets and crash into them.

With an endurance of over six hours, the Harop is usually canister-launched from ground or naval platforms. Once the drone identifies the target, it self-destructs upon contact with incredible precision. Its warhead is highly explosive and is designed to detonate upon impact with the target.

Harop came into the world's attention after it proved to be lethally effective in the Second Karabakh War in 2020, in which Azerbaijan defeated Armenia.

 

As per reports, the Indian Air Force has been operating the Harop munition for over a decade. In 2021, India bought the Israeli drones, over 100 of them, to beef up its operational capability along the borders with Pakistan and China. Israel has sold the drone to India, Germany and Azerbaijan. 

Middle East