Operation Sindoor etched a defining moment in the annals of modern warfare, showcasing India’s technological prowess and military precision. At the heart of this landmark operation was the Bengaluru-manufactured ‘Sky Striker,’ a lethal loitering munition that dismantled terrorist infrastructure across India’s border with unparalleled accuracy. Developed by Alpha Design Technologies in collaboration with Israel’s Elbit Security Systems, the Sky Striker’s maiden deployment by the Indian armed forces showed India’s ascent as a global leader in technology-driven defence solutions.
Complementing this game-changing drone was a formidable array of indigenous weapons, including the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, Akash missile system, Akashteer air defence system, Nagastra-1 loitering munition, and D4 anti-drone system. Together, these ‘Made in India’ systems, fueled by the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, not only neutralised threats but also heralded a new era of self-reliance in India’s defence ecosystem.
The Sky Striker: Silent Revolution in Warfare
Tucked away in Bengaluru’s Peenya Industrial Area, Alpha Design Technologies has been quietly revolutionising India’s defence landscape. The Sky Striker, aptly dubbed the “silent killer,” is a battery-operated, near-soundless unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed for precision strikes. With an endurance of 1-3 hours, a payload capacity of 5-10 kilograms, and an operational range of 80-100 kilometres, this loitering munition offers unmatched versatility. Its electro-optic payload enables real-time target acquisition, relaying data to a ground control system for pinpoint accuracy.
Chief Operating Officer Raghavendra Aroor elaborated on its operational capabilities: “Once launched, it takes input of the target and relates to the ground control system. The target location can be pinpointed, and the attack launched.” The drone’s ability to strike pre-programmed GPS coordinates, combined with a unique retrievability mechanism via a parachute and airbag system, allows for mission flexibility and reuse.
Alpha Design CEO Hari Prasad emphasised its precision, stating, “Its accuracy is one of its strongest points. We’re talking about a one-meter accuracy, high-precision drone… It’s a very powerful system with a 5-10 kg payload.”
This precision proved critical in Operation Sindoor, where the Sky Striker neutralised high-value terrorist targets, including bases of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) in Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Muridke, with minimal collateral damage.
The Sky Striker’s stealth capabilities set it apart as a formidable asset. “The radar cross-section of this system is very minimal,” Aroor explained, showcasing a 1:1 scale model. Its low-altitude flight profile and battery-powered operation render it nearly invisible to radar systems.
“If operated at night, the moment it picks up the target, it dives at such a fast rate that nobody can track it. That’s why its success rate is almost 100 per cent,” he added.
The drone’s lethal dive capabilities, with a steep angle and high terminal velocity, make interception nearly impossible, as Prasad noted: “As it gets close to the target, it can execute a very steep dive angle with extremely high terminal velocity, making interception very difficult.”
In Operation Sindoor, these attributes enabled the Sky Striker to strike deep into enemy territory, evading Pakistani radar and air defences to deliver devastating blows.
The Sky Striker’s combat legacy predates its Indian deployment. Battle-tested in conflicts such as the Israel-Palestine clashes and the Armenia-Azerbaijan skirmishes, the drone earned India’s confidence, leading to an order for 100 units in 2021 following the Balakot strike. Its integration into India’s arsenal during Operation Sindoor marked a significant milestone, showcasing the nation’s ability to leverage cutting-edge technology for strategic objectives.
Alpha Design Technologies: Powering India’s Defence Ascent
Alpha Design Technologies has emerged as a cornerstone of India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem. With state-of-the-art facilities in Bengaluru and Hyderabad, the company has mastered the production of the Sky Striker, achieving full technological self-sufficiency.
“The Sky Striker has been produced in India for over three years, and we have the full technology to produce a complete product in India,” Prasad affirmed. This capability reflects the success of the ‘Make in India’ initiative, which has transformed Indian companies from offset partners to independent developers of sophisticated defence systems.
The company’s growth trajectory is remarkable. Chief Financial Officer Ramesh M revealed that Alpha Design is projected to close the fiscal year 2024-25 with a revenue of approximately Rs 1,050 crore, supported by a robust order book valued at Rs 8,000-10,000 crore.
With expectations of securing an additional Rs 10,000 crore in orders in the next fiscal year, Alpha Design is poised to play a central role in India’s defence modernisation. Employing over 1,100 personnel across its facilities, the company exemplifies the human and technological capital driving India’s self-reliant defence ecosystem.
Operation Sindoor: Showcase of Indigenous Might
Operation Sindoor was a masterclass in integrating indigenous technologies to achieve military objectives. While the Sky Striker led the charge, other ‘Made in India’ systems played complementary roles, reinforcing India’s multi-layered defence strategy. These systems, developed under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, demonstrated India’s ability to counter diverse threats, from terrorist infrastructure to aerial incursions, with homegrown solutions.
BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile: Precision at Mach Speed
The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, a joint venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya, was a cornerstone of India’s offensive strategy. Operating at speeds of Mach 2.8 to 3.0, with a range of 290-450 kilometres (and advanced variants up to 800 kilometres), BrahMos is one of the world’s fastest cruise missiles. Its “fire-and-forget” guidance system ensures one-meter accuracy, making it ideal for precision strikes.
In Operation Sindoor, BrahMos missiles targeted Pakistani military installations and terror bases, including JeM’s Bahawalpur headquarters and airbases like Rafiqui, Murid, Nur Khan, and Sargodha. On May 10, 2025, Indian Air Force strikes caused significant damage to radar installations, command centres, and ammunition depots, as confirmed by satellite imagery. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath highlighted its impact, stating, “You must have seen a glimpse of the BrahMos missile during Operation Sindoor. If not, ask the people of Pakistan about its power.” The missile’s low radar signature and ability to cruise at altitudes from 15 kilometres to as low as 10 metres rendered it nearly uninterceptable. The newly inaugurated BrahMos facility in Lucknow, set to produce 100-150 missiles annually, will further bolster India’s capabilities.
Akash Missile System: Defending the Skies
The Akash surface-to-air missile system, developed by DRDO and manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), was instrumental in thwarting Pakistani aerial threats. Capable of engaging four targets simultaneously at a range of 25 kilometres (with Akash-NG extending to 70-80 kilometres), Akash features electronic counter-countermeasure (ECCM) capabilities to penetrate enemy jamming. During Operation Sindoor, it neutralised hundreds of Pakistani drones and missiles, including Chinese-made PL-15 missiles and Turkish Byker YIHA III kamikaze drones, safeguarding military and civilian areas. Its mobility on mobile platforms enabled rapid deployment along the Line of Control (LoC) and western border.
Akashteer Air Defence System: The Strategic Brain
The Akashteer air defence system, another DRDO innovation, served as the nerve centre of India’s air defence network. By integrating radar and sensor data, Akashteer provided real-time situational awareness, optimising target allocation and reducing reaction times. It coordinated systems like Akash and the Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM), countering Pakistani drone swarms and missiles, including Chinese HQ-9P systems, across 26 targeted locations from Srinagar to Nalia.
Nagastra-1 Loitering Munition: Surgical Precision
The Nagastra-1, a man-portable loitering munition developed by Solar Industries under DRDO oversight, complemented the Sky Striker’s efforts. With a range of 15-20 kilometres, 60-minute endurance, and a 1-2 kilogram warhead, Nagastra-1 executed precise strikes on terror infrastructure, including JeM and LeT bases. Its ability to abort missions and minimise collateral damage aligns with India’s responsible warfare principles.
D4 Anti-Drone System: Countering Aerial Threats
The D4 anti-drone system, developed by DRDO, neutralised Pakistan’s drone swarms using radar, radio frequency sensors, signal jamming, and explosive interceptors. Integrated with anti-aircraft guns and surface-to-air missiles, it protected Indian bases and civilian areas, effectively dismantling unmanned aerial threats. Former DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy noted, “The anti-drone systems were very successfully used as a huge number of drones were coming in.”
A Self-Reliant Defence Ecosystem
Operation Sindoor underscored the transformative impact of India’s indigenous defence ecosystem. The ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative has empowered organisations like DRDO, Bharat Dynamics Limited, and BrahMos Aerospace to drive innovation, reducing reliance on foreign arms. India’s defence exports, reaching Rs 23,622 crore in 2024-25 (a 12 per cent surge), reflect global confidence in systems like BrahMos (sought by Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, and the Philippines) and Akash (exported to Armenia, with interest from Egypt and Brazil).
The operation also highlighted India’s technological edge over adversaries. The failure of Pakistan’s Chinese-made PL-15 and HQ-9P systems against India’s indigenous arsenal underscored the superiority of ‘Made in India’ technologies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation on May 12, 2025, declared, “The credibility of our Made-in-India weapons was firmly established. The world now recognises that the time for Made-in-India defence equipment in 21st-century warfare has arrived.” US expert John Spencer echoed this, noting that indigenous production met 88 per cent of the Army’s ammunition needs in 2024, up from 32 per cent in 2014.
Road Ahead: A Future of Innovation and Independence
The Sky Striker’s success in Operation Sindoor is a testament to India’s ability to develop and deploy cutting-edge defence systems. As DRDO advances next-generation technologies like Akash-NG and BrahMos-II hypersonic missiles, India is set to remain at the forefront of global defence innovation.
Operation Sindoor was more than a military triumph; it was a declaration of India’s self-reliance and strategic vision. The Sky Striker, alongside BrahMos, Akash, Akashteer, Nagastra-1, and D4, demonstrated the nation’s ability to integrate diverse technologies into a cohesive defence strategy. As India continues to innovate and expand its defence capabilities, the legacy of Operation Sindoor will inspire a future defined by precision, power, and independence in warfare.
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