CRPF Procures Kamikaze Drones for Anti-Terror Operations

#GS-3 #Science & Technology #Defence #CRPF #Kamikaze Drones #Aatmanirbhar Bharat #Internal Security

Key takeaways

The CRPF is procuring suicide kamikaze drones to reinforce its anti-terror and counter-insurgency capabilities in tough terrains.
Indigenously developed options include Nagastra-1 by Solar Industries and ALS-50 by TASL, alongside systems guided by NAVIC.
These precision drones can loiter in the air from 30 minutes up to several hours before executing targeted strikes against hostile bunkers and mobile units.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has started procuring loitering munitions to boost its counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.

These aerial weapons combine the real-time surveillance of a drone with the explosive strike power of a precision missile.
Unlike standard drones that fly back home, these single-use drones hover over a target area, lock onto high-value targets, and detonate upon impact.

Global models include Israel's Harop and Harpy, Iran's Shahed-136, and Poland's Warmate.
Indian systems include CSIR-NAL systems with NAVIC, Solar Industries and Z-Motion's Nagastra-1, TASL's ALS-50, and Alpha Design-Elbit's SkyStriker.

These drones aim to destroy fortified bunkers, radar units, and moving enemy targets without exposing security troops to direct danger.

They can loiter in the air from 30 minutes to several hours while tracking enemy movements before carrying out a precise strike.
Their small frame, low flying altitude, and quiet flight make them very hard for regular radar systems to detect.
They rely on satellite systems like GPS and NAVIC, alongside optical sensors, to keep targeting accurate even during jamming attempts.
They are far cheaper than standard missiles and can fly in coordinated swarms to overwhelm enemy defenses.
They carry high-explosive or anti-armor warheads tailored to destroy specific targets with minimal collateral damage.

These drones give troops a sharp advantage in thick jungles and dense cities by finding and attacking hidden insurgents safely.
Indigenously built drones advance the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision by reducing reliance on foreign military imports.