All About Harpy Drone, Causes Havoc in Pakistan
Amid the rising tensions between India and Pakistan, one name is making headlines — the Harpy Drone. This is not an ordinary drone — it hunts down enemy radar systems and destroys itself in the attack, making it a deadly loitering munition.
Let’s understand what the Harpy drone is, how it works, and why India chose to use it.
All About Harpy Drone
The Harpy is an anti-radiation suicide drone, developed by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
- It is specifically designed to detect enemy radar signals and then dive into the target, destroying both itself and the radar system.
- This makes it a “fire-and-forget” weapon, capable of autonomous attacks without human control after launch.
How Much Does It Cost?
- India first purchased Harpy drones in 2009, with a deal worth $100 million (around ₹850 crore) for 10 drones.
- That means the cost of one Harpy drone is approximately $10 million (₹85 crore).
- In 2019, India acquired even more units to strengthen its drone fleet.
Key Features of the Harpy Drone
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Anti-Radiation Seeker: Can detect and lock on to enemy radar systems
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Fully Automated: Functions without any manual guidance after launch
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Flight Time: Up to 9 hours in the air
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All-Weather Operation: Performs in day/night, rain, or storms
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No GPS Required: Can strike targets without relying on GNSS systems
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Range: Covers a distance of 500–1000 km, depending on the variant
How Was It Used?
On Thursday, India launched precision drone strikes using Harpy drones against Pakistan’s air defense systems near the border.
These drones successfully destroyed critical radar installations, dealing a major blow to Pakistan’s air surveillance capabilities.
🎯 Operation Sindoor – India’s Strategic Strike
On the night of Tuesday 7th May, Indian forces carried out a covert mission inside Pakistan named Operation Sindoor.
Here’s what happened:
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9 major terrorist bases were completely destroyed,
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the operation was highly classified and revealed on Wednesday,
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it was seen as a direct response to cross-border threats.
Pakistan’s Panic Reaction
After Operation Sindoor, Pakistan reacted by firing across Indian borders.
On the night of 7th May, it attempted missile and drone attacks on several Indian military bases.
Targeted cities included: Avantipora, Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Kapurthala, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Adampur, Bathinda, Chandigarh, NAL, Phalodi, Uttarlai, and Bhuj.
India’s Air Force and Army responded swiftly and neutralized the threat.
What Do Military Experts Say?
Defense experts believe that the use of Harpy drones shows India’s shift toward network-centric warfare, where speed, precision, and intelligence are key.
This also signals that India is no longer just reacting defensively — it is capable of taking offensive, high-tech action when required.
India’s Growing Trust in Israel
India’s defense partnership with Israel continues to grow.
Even before the Harpy, India had procured Heron drones, Spike missiles, and Harpoon missile systems from Israel.
It’s clear that India is focusing on modernizing its defense with the help of trusted, advanced allies.
Conclusion:
The use of the Harpy drone in Pakistan sends a powerful message — India will no longer stay silent in the face of threats.
This high-cost, high-impact drone has shattered Pakistan’s air defenses and showcased India’s technological edge in modern warfare.
